Once A Witch, by Carolyn MacCullough

Tamsin Greene has grown up in a family of witches, magic is commonplace in her life. Need a love potion? Just ask her mother. Is someone making your life miserable? One of her crazy extended family members can just send a well-placed hex their way.
But Tamsin? She can't do a thing, she's an outsider. Talentless. The one who was supposed to be the most powerful in the family never manifested, she doesn't have a drop of magic to call her own.
So, when a mysterious stranger mistakes her for her talented older sister, asking for her help to track down an old family heirloom Tasmin can't help but play along and enjoy feeling special for once. But this stranger isn't who she thinks he is, and the heirloom she helps him find is one that will unlock her powers and cause destruction for everyone she loves.

Firelight, by Sophie Jordan

Jacinda is a fiery redhead - no simple teenage girl. Jacinda is a decendant of the dragon, her race is known as Draki. An elite race that can transform from her natural Draki form to an almost average looking human.

Destined to be 'mated' with a Draki prince because of her special abilities, Jacinda and her family are forced to leave their mountain boundaries and venture into the mortal world.

The dry air and dusty desert wreak havoc on her inner Draki, until it begins to wither and die. Until she meets Will. A human. A hunter of Draki. And the only thing that can keep her true self alive. Does she get close to him or fight her inner battle alone? Can she risk it either way?

This is a fresh take on a paranormal story, and a dragon story. Completely original and captivating. My only qualm was the storyline moved too fast. I wish I had a bit longer to explore the characters, the nuances of their personalities, and the development of their relationship together. HOWEVER, it did not detract from the amazing and well plotted story line. I just HATE that I have to wait for the sequel.

Poison Study, by Maria V. Snyder

On the day Yelena is to be executed for murder she is offered a choice – continue with the hanging, or, become a food taster. Seems harmless right? Or not. She becomes the food taster, a.k.a. poison tester for all the drinks and meals for the Commander of Ixia.


As she becomes more comfortable in her role at the palace she begins to formulate her escape plan. But with internal plots, strange magical powers, and enemies out to get her…she might not ever be free again. Such an amazing (seriously, insanly amazing) book. I won't update the remainder of the trilogy *no spoilers here!* but suffice it to say - this is a MUST READ.

Incarceron, by Catherine Fisher

There is no possible description I can give better than the one on the cover of this book- so here it is.

Incarceron is a prison unlike any other: Its inmates live not only in cells, but also in metal forests, dilapidated cities, and unbounded wilderness. The prison has been sealed for centuries, and only one man, legend says, has ever escaped.

Finn, a seventeen-year-old prisoner, can’t remember his childhood and believes he came from Outside Incarceron. He’s going to escape, even though most inmates don’t believe that Outside even exists. And then Finn finds a crystal key and through it, a girl named Claudia. Claudia claims to live Outside—her father is the Warden of Incarceron and she’s doomed to an arranged marriage. If she helps Finn escape, she will need his help in return. But they don’t realize that there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage and cost far more than they know.

Because Incarceron is alive.

City of Bones, by Cassandra Clare

The first book in The Immortal Instruments trilogy begins with the story of Clary. An ordinary teenager living with her mother. Ordinary until she discovers she can see supernatural beings that no one else can. She meets a Shadowhunter named Jace who kills demons, monsters, and anything else that goes bump in the night. Suddenly Clary is pulled into this magical world and realizes life isn't as simple as she thought, she doesn't really know the person she has called 'mom', and that Jace is more dangerous than he appears. Thrilling good read.

The Demon King, by Cinda Williams Chima

Han McAllister is a reformed thief, trying to make a living and support his mother and young sister. For as long as Hans can remember, his wrists have been encased in thick silver cuffs, engraved with runes. He has never been able to get them off, and they grow as he grows, fitting him perfectly.

After Han becomes the new owner of an ancient talisman, one that once belonged to The Demon King, he begins to be hunted by strange beings and frightening wizards.

Upon his escape from town Han has a run-in with Princess Raisa. Now they must band together in order to survive and bring to pass the closure of the Demon Kings reign.

The Dragon Heir, by Cinda Williams Chima

** Spoiler Alert!*** Do not read this post until you've read the first two books, listed below. You've been warned!

Jason Haley, friend of Seph McCauley, wizard.

Jason helped Seph before his escape from The Havens. A rebel with no family or friends, he sets out to find the Dragon. Leader of the renegade wizards trying to overthrow the Red and White Roses. As Jason travels to Cumbria to seek his revenge his stumbles, quite literally, into an ancient cavern. One that holds the Dragon Heart, a stone, more powerful than any wizard could have possibly imagined.

As he fights to learn his true calling in life, he struggles with the need to feel wanted and important. As he slowly slips away from the only friends he knows, the Dragon Heart still calls to him.

Madison Moss can also feel the call of the stone. But she's no wizard. Torn between love and the siren's call of the Dragon Heart, it's anyone's guess what will happen.

The ending of this book shocked me, pleased me, and broke my heart just a little. An unexpected ending to an incredible series.

The Wizard Heir, by Cinda Williams Chima

Seph McCauley is 16, a trouble-maker, and can have any girl twisted tight with his little finger. A heartbreaker with serious issues.

Seph (LOVE his name!) has been kicked out of every exclusive school he has attended. When a fire breaks out at a party, Seph is sent to a boarding school on the east coast called The Havens.

With his magical powers spinning wildly out of control Havens seems like the perfect solution. A headmaster to teach him how to control himself, friends with the same powers. It seems too good to be true.... and that's because it is. With hidden agendas, evil sacrifices, and cameras that watch his every move, Seph must escape this prison called The Havens.

Armed with new knowledge Seph is on his way to becoming one of the most powerful wizards of all time. An excellent sequel that leaves you wanting more.

The Warrior Heir, by Cinda Williams Chima

Jack grew up in a small town called Trinity, Ohio. A miracle to his mother, having survived heart surgery when he was only an infant. He has to take medicine every day for his heart.

One day, he skips it. Little did he know, the medicine was a power suppressant, a magical power suppressant. Jack is a wizard, a warrior heir. Heir in a magical community where stones hold power and words can bring about destruction.

Now wizards are showing up, trying to teach him, steal him, trade him. He is the last Warrior known to the wizard community, and everyone wants a piece of him. Having to choose sides in a bloody wizard's war, Jack must decide who to trust and how to survive in this cutthroat world of magic and mystery.

It appears this is the debut novel of Chima, the start of this book is a little rocky and full of cliches. BUT, keep reading. Trust me. It not only gets better, it gets really really good.

Fallen, by Lauren Kate

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

This book is full of intrigue, friendships, and a little romance. Each character is incredible and believable. This is part of a series, can't wait for Torment, Fall 2010.

Fire by Kristin Cashore

This is the sequel (prequel) to Graceling.

This is the story of Fire. She is the last of her kind...

It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. In King City, the young King Nash is clinging to the throne, while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. War is coming. And the mountains and forest are filled with spies and thieves. This is where Fire lives, a girl whose beauty is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her.

This book is romantic to the core. A spellbinding tale, definitely a must-read. I can't wait for the next installment "Bitterblue", no word of when that will be released...... soon, I hope!

Devil's Kiss

Perfect Good vs. Evil story line about a girl named Biliquis a.k.a. Billi who is the first and only girl in the Knight's Templar. The Knight's Templar was a group -normally of 9 knights- Templar knights, in their distinctive white mantles with a red cross, were among the most skilled fighting units of the Crusades. In this book, they continue the tradition of watching over the Temple of Solomon and also, they help rid the world of evil. Fighting the never-ending battle against the Unholy. Billi is a Templar, a fighter. Kay, the boy she grew up with, and her friend, is the Oracle, who sees visions, reads minds, and can predict the future. This follows their struggle, the characters are well written, Billi is believable - she is fearless, sad, rebellious, everything a main character should be. I had no idea where the story was taking me. My inital suspicions were wrong, and as the plot built it was definitely a page-turner, keeping me on the edge of my seat. I look forward to reading the next one, The Dark Goddess which comes out fall 2010.

The Lightening Thief

Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a series with 7 books so far. I've made it to book 5 and am still going strong. This is a many-layered story with Gods, Goddesses, and much more. Percy finds out, at age 12, that he is a demi-god- half-human and half-immortal. As the son of Poseidon (ruler of the sea) he is an extremely powerful half-blood, just as soon as he can get a handle on his powers. This is definitely a young adult read, but an excellent and fun take on Greek Mythology. Join Percy as he defends himself against a Minotaur, Ares, and many other mythological creatures in his quest to prove his innocence in the theft of Zeus' lightening bolt.

Vampire Kisses, The Beginning

Hands-down the most witty book I have read in a while. I love it, just read this excerpt and you will see why...

Halfway through kindergarten I tried to become a vampire. TrevorMitchell, a perfectly combed blond with weak amber eyes, was my nemesis from the moment I stared him down when he tried to cut in front of me on the slide.
He hated me because I was the only kid that wasn’t afraid of him. The kids and teachers kissed up to him because his father owned most of the land their houses sat on. Trevor was in a biting phase, not because he wanted to be a vampire like me, but just because he was mean. He had taken pieces of flesh out of everyone but me. And I was starting to get ticked off!
We were on the playground, standing by the basketball hoops, when I pinched the skin of his puny little arm so hard I thought blood would squirt out. His face turned beet red. I stood motionless and waited. Trevor’s body trembled with anger, and his eyes swelled with vengeance as I mischievously smiled back. Then he left his dental impressions in my expectant hand. Mrs. Peevish was forced to sit him against the school wall, and I happily danced around the playground, waiting to transform into a vampire bat.
“That Raven is an odd one,” I overhead Mrs. Peevish saying to another teacher as I skipped past the crying Trevor, who was now throwing a fit against the hard blacktop. I blew him a grateful kiss with my bitten hand.
I wore mywound proudly as I got on the school swing. I could fly now, right?

The Alchemist (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel)

He holds the secret that can end the world.The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life.The records show that he died in 1418.But his tomb is empty.The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects—the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won't know what's happening until it's too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it.

Cody and I are reading this together right now, first time we've ever tried this and we are on chapter 2, which I like to think of as the chapter where it gets really good. Definitely a good read.

Evermore

The story of a girl named Ever. A tragic accident claims her family and she is left behind. She faces the obvious pain, guilt and lonliness I'm sure many survivors face. But, for Ever, it's not just the guilt that she faces.
Since the accident, Ever has begun to experience many things, reading thoughts, seeing Aura's, and meeting Damen..... someone else who doesn't portray everything that he really is.
This is the beginning of a series, I enjoyed this first book immensely, but haven't been able to get into the 2nd book, maybe because it's named Blue Moon?..... it's a little to close to the sequel of another, more popular series......New Moon anyone? But, I don't want that to diminish this book, it was quite, quite good.

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

Okay, so while the cover of the book is not the best... I loved this book. It really could have been a sequel. It was witty and kept you reading until the very end. And while NO BOOK could ever top the vampire story in Twilight, this book can definitely hold it's own. There is no instant attraction and blooming of love between 2 teenagers. No, quite the opposite in fact, which is what makes this book all the more interesting. Here is an excerpt from the cover:

The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .
Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up and everything changes.

Although this might give away the first few chapters... I love her almost-hatred toward Lucius, that even though she does think he is attractive she still thinks he is impossible and overbearing, no sappy chapters in here....

Graceling

I read this about a month ago, and LOVED the story line. Katsa is a girl who grew up long, long ago, in a world where certain people are born with a Grace.
Some people have a Grace of counting, swimming, knowing when someone is lying, Katsa's Grace is different though.

Her Grace is killing...