Hey friends!

I decided to change things up a bit and in addition to having Throwback Thursday reviews, we'll also take some strolls down memory lane.  This week's question is: What was your favorite book or series from your preteen years?

I distinctly remember reading V.C. Andrews in middle school. I probably shouldn't have been reading them, but I was addicted. It's crazy because looking back I now feel that they are totally inappropriate for preteens.  It seems like every book involved some sort of incest, rape or abuse.  I can't speak for the newer books (say the last 10 years or so).  But the ones that I read, The Cutler series especially, were crazy!  I think my addiction to the dark world of V.C. Andrews ended when I found out that V.C. Andrews was dead and the books were written by ghost writers. You can say they sort of lost their appeal after that.

Not familiar with V.C. Andrews? Here are a few links for you to peruse at your leisure.

• The V.C. Andrews Wiki
  
• The V.C. Andrews Cover Art Gallery
  
• The Complete V.C. Andrews Library
  
• Simon & Schuster V.C. Andrews page
  

Please share with me! What was your favorite book or series as from your preteen (middle school) years?

Happy Reading, 
~Tamara

Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: September 1, 2009
Format: Kindle
Pages: 391
Source: Purchase
Genre: YA Dystopian
Original Review Date: September 6, 2011
Rating: 4 bookmarks 

Synopsis:Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel in the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before...and surprising readers at every turn.

** spoiler alert ** This book was a easy read and the drama continues…a very good follow up to The Hunger Games. I jumped right into reading this book following The Hunger Games. 

Throwback Thursday is my weekly feature which I created to post a review that I've written from the past. Every week I will post a review that I've written prior to my blogs existence. I'll be sharing both the books that I think you'd enjoy and the books that I should warn you against wasting your time on! ;-)

I adore L.A.Banks and her series, The Vampire Huntress Legends. That series started my Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance obsession. After reading those books I delved into the world of vampires, werewolves, and all things paranormal and never looked back.  Sadly Ms. Banks died a few years ago.  This was her last published book, and it was also her first time writing YA and it was worth the read. When I wrote the review in 2011 we were awaiting book two, but obviously she wasn't able to publish the next book in the series.  Even if you haven't read her previous adult series, you can read this and won't be lost at all. In addition, if you like Urban Fantasy I also recommend reading The Vampire Huntress Legends series, you'll be happy you did..

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: November 11, 2010
Format: Kindle
Pages: 560 (Paperback)
Source: Purchase
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Original Review Date: January, 2011
Rating: 5 bookmarks 

Synopsis: Set in a post-apocalyptic world following the Armageddon, in Shadow Walker, the teenage children of the world’s Guardians of the Light must learn to hone their extra-sensory talents to one day join in the battle with their parents.

While they are secreted away in the Temt Tchaas Academy, (aka Neteru Academy), these students must learn to fight evil as well as learn to resist the temptation of fighting with each other. Although these young people have super powers, they still struggle with the same dramas and insecurities like any other high school student – and just because their parents may be superhuman doesn’t mean their parents are perfect. Far from it. That only makes life more confusing, as peer pressure, budding romances, decisions about whether or not to snitch, or whether or not to use one’s supernatural gifts for personal gain must be sorted out.

In this coming of age story, Sarah Rivera and her twin brother, Alejandro, must figure out when to use their wings or fangs, how to get along with their compound siblings, how to fit in with others in a huge new school, and perhaps most importantly, how to pick their battles to always fight for what is right

I LOVED this book. It threw me back to the Vampire Huntress series. It was so well told and I was excited to see the characters we loved so much from that series make cameos in the new book. I loved the kids too, the new generation of guardians are so fun to read. Even though they are too defending the world from evil, they all have their own unique personalities and traits. It doesn't seem like we are reading a remix of the old Huntress series. Its fresh. Even though it’s an YA book, I didn't feel like it was too child like at all. A bit of the themes are kind of similar to the Huntress series, which kept it from being too "young". Plus the kids are older teens, so they deal with a lot of issues that kids that age deal with in regards to parents, relationships, dealing with authority. All of it. I read this book in 2 days in my free time. I didn't want to put it down! I'm saddened that Ms.Banks isn't able to share more of her writing genius with us, she was a very talented writer.  She will be missed.

Happy Reading,
~Tamara

Throwback Thursday is my weekly feature which I created to post a review that I've written from the past. Every week I will post a review that I've written prior to my blogs existence. I'll be sharing both the books that I think you'd enjoy and the books that I should warn you against wasting your time on! ;-)

This is another one of those self published books that is really good, but you see this god awful cover and think "this will be cheesy". Don't let the cover art sway you, this is a fun read.  Please be warned this review does include some spoilers, so if you're reading this series and don't like being spoiled, you may want to stop now. :-)

Publisher: Kindle
Release Date: First published January, 2010
Format: ebook
Pages: 314
Source: Purchase
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Original Review Date: March 22, 2011
Rating: 4 bookmarks 

Synopsis: Mother, wife, private investigator...vampire. Six years ago federal agent Samantha Moon was the perfect wife and mother, your typical soccer mom with the minivan and suburban home. Then the unthinkable happens, an attack that changes her life forever. And forever is a very long time for a vampire.

Now in VAMPIRE MOON, sequel to MOON DANCE, private investigator Samantha Moon finds herself hunting down a powerful crime lord and protecting an innocent woman from her ruthless ex-husband — all while two very different men vie for her heart. And as the stakes grow higher and her cases turn personal, Samantha Moon will do whatever it takes to protect the innocent and bring two cold-blooded killers to justice — her own brand of justice.

This book was really very good. The pace was fast and the story never got dull. This series has positively got my attention. I hope the books to follow are just a well written. The main character Sam has taken on this vigilante type persona. She wants to save the innocent and make the guilty pay for their actions. At the same time, as she seeks her own kind of justice for her clients, it’s making her more vampire and less human…she can feel herself fighting off the more scary vampire tendencies. I like how she started to take things into her own hands and was not the victim in any case. She save not one, but two clients in this book in more ways than one. She saves a woman from a her ex who is on death row and is still out to kill her with use of hired assassins. She simultaneously helps the other client who seeks revenge after his wife is murdered by a crime boss. 

Throwback Thursday is my weekly feature which I created to post a review that I've written from the past. Every week I will post a review that I've written prior to my blogs existence. I'll be sharing both the books that I think you'd enjoy and the books that I should warn you against wasting your time on! ;-)

As you can see most of my older reviews are pretty short and sweet! Ha, the good ole days!

Publisher:  lulu.com
Release Date: First published January 1, 2009
Format: ebook
Pages: 288
Source: Purchase
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Original Review Date: March 17, 2011
Rating: 3 bookmarks 

Synopsis: Mother, wife, private investigator...vampire. Six years ago federal agent Samantha Moon was the perfect wife and mother, your typical soccer mom with the minivan and suburban home. Then the unthinkable happens, an attack that changes her life forever. And forever is a very long time for a vampire.

Now the world at large thinks Samantha has developed a rare skin disease, a disease which forces her to quit her day job and stay out of the light of the sun. Now working the night shift as a private investigator, Samantha is hired by Kingsley Fulcrum to investigate the murder attempt on his life, a horrific scene captured on TV and seen around the country. But as the case unfolds, Samantha discovers Kingsley isn't exactly what he appears to be; after all, there is a reason why he survived five shots to the head.

This book was very light reading and kind of cheesy at times, but still good. Sam, a 6 year turned vampire who’s a private eye that solve mysteries is a very interesting woman. It's very unusual to read a story where a vampire has a human family and interacts openly with the public at large. She has 2 kids, a husband and a sister that she frequently hangs with. For the most part she maintained her human life except the fact that she’s stronger than anything living, the sun is like kryptonite and she drinks blood. 

Past all of her basic vampire woes, she manages to figure out who the killer is, learn some new things about her abilities and manage to fall in love. Even more unusual is that a vampire would fall for a werewolf... All of these oddities in the story does keep it interesting.

Happy Reading, 
~Tamara

Throwback Thursday is my weekly feature which I created to post a review that I've written from the past. Every week I will post a review that I've written prior to my blogs existence. I'll be sharing both the books that I think you'd enjoy and the books that I should warn you against wasting your time on! ;-)

With the release of City of Bones yesterday, I'm continuing on with my last Mortal Instrument review that wasn't on my blog.  This week is book four, City of Fallen Angels. I recall that I didn't enjoy this book as much as the others. Is it possible to have the sophomore slump on the 4th book? Apparently so.  Not that this installment was terrible, but it could have been better.  If you also found this book to be sort of a slump, push through because book 5, City of Lost Souls, makes up for it.  City of Lost Souls is already reviewed on Shelf Addiction, you can find it here.  

Aside from the story line, I must give Cassandra Clare credit, not only has she found a cult following of sorts with this series, she's managing to keep the content fresh and introduce more and more crazy twists to the story.  I also must point out that the cover art for this series as well as the Infernal Devices series are just beautiful. They make gorgeous book candy for your shelf.

Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry Books 
Release Date: April 5, 2011
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 424
Source: Purchase
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Original Review Date: May 5, 2011
Rating: 3 bookmarks 

Synopsis:The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And - most importantly of all - she can finally call Jace her boyfriend.
But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine's Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second bloody war. Clary's best friend, Simon, can't help her. His mother just found out that he's a vampire and now he's homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side - along with the power of the curse that's wrecking his life. And they're willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time he's dating two beautiful, dangerous girls - neither of whom knows about the other one.

When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: She herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

I'm not going to get into the details on this book because it was not as good as the previous three books.  It was decent, but it took me much longer than I expected to not only read it, but also to get into the rhythm of things.  

For some reason, even though I wanted more of this series, sadly, I think if this series continues, the next book will have to be a home run in order for me to continue on.  Which frankly, I want to love this series, so I will read the next book and hope that #5 reignites the Mortal Instruments excitement for me. 

One of my favorite quotes from the book:
“Hearts are breakable," Isabelle said. "And I think even when you heal, you're never what you were before".” 

Happy Reading,
~Tamara
City of Bones #1 | City of Ashes #2 | City of Glass #3

Throwback Thursday is my weekly feature which I created to post a review that I've written from the past. Every week I will post a review that I've written prior to my blogs existence. I'll be sharing both the books that I think you'd enjoy and the books that I should warn you against wasting your time on! ;-)

With the release of City of Bones coming up at the end of the month, I'm continuing on with the Mortal Instrument reviews. This week is book 3, City of Glass.  When I read my review from 2009,  apparently I didn't know at the time that there was going to be a 4th book because it reads like it was the end of a trilogy.  Clearly there was a clear end to a main story arc.  Did anyone else feel that way at the end of City of Glass?

Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry Books 
Release Date: March 24, 2009
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 541
Source: Purchase
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Original Review Date: October 29, 2009
Rating: 4 bookmarks 

Synopsis: To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.


As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Times bestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments.

City of Glass is a fast paced page-turner. I'm pretty sure that you will find difficult to not to inhale the book in one sitting. The characters have grown on me even more and I feel vested. 

I liked how Clare resolved the conflict that existed with Clare and Jace, I knew it would get worked out, I just had no clue how. This book was a very fast, light, fun and wrapped up the story nicely. It was a good ending, nearly perfect. 

I recommend this series for anyone who’s into the sci-fi fantasy genres.

One of my favorite quotes:
“There is no pretending," Jace said with absolute clarity. "I love you, and I will love you until I die, and if there is life after that, I'll love you then.” 

Happy Reading,
~Tamara
City of Bones #1 | City of Ashes #2