Daughter of Smoke and Bone ~ Laini Taylor

Inital thoughts as I finished the book:

The last act has left me a puddle of emotional goo.

*deep breath*

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5++++ Stars

I will admit to going into this book not knowing exactly what to expect. The book synopsis is so vague and mysterious that I couldn't help but want to dive into this bizarre world where a young girl is sent out on these errands by her beastly guardian in search of teeth...human and otherwise. Where a door opens in Prague, and exits into Marrakesh.

I was completely captivated by this story from the first line. And I knew this was something special within the first few chapters.

I truly feel like delving any more into the actual plot would lessen the impact for anyone thinking of reading this book. This really should be a book that is experienced from beginning to end, with the roller coaster of emotions that that entails.

But, I do have to point out that Laini Taylor's writing is just absolute perfection. Her characters come to life in such a vivid way, that it honestly felt like I was inside the book as I was reading it. And one final comment regarding the character of Akiva. Hands down one of my favorite fictional characters ever.

Normally I would have been beyond annoyed by the MAJOR cliffhanger of an ending that this book had (the final few chapters left me a weepy mess), but I can forgive Taylor for that, knowing that we will have 2 more books in the series to look forward to.

Bottom line:

One of the best books of 2011 (top 3)

One of my all time favorite books...period.

Apocalypse Scenario #683 The Box ~ Mira Grant

5 Sars

To gear up for reading [book:Feed|7094569], I decided to try this novella from author Mira Grant first. All I can say is...wow. This may have been short, but it packed a helluva punch in my opinion. It was unique, interesting and incredibly unsettling. I will go out on a limb here and say that it just may be one of the best short stories I have ever read. Yes, it was that good.

The Night Circus ~ Erin Morgenstern

Having finished reading this a few days ago, i have been struggling ever since to try and put into words how much I enjoyed this book.

The Night Circus is a magical experience from start to finish.

The circus appears without warning.

Probably one of the best opening lines i have read in recent memory. it succeeds in grabbing you from the first lines, and I found myself staying up all night because i literally could not force myself to put this book down.

Le Cirque des Reves...The Circus Of Dreams, is a fitting name for the other-worldly attraction that captures the hearts and minds of so many people. At the heart of the circus are Celia and Marco...two illusionists trained from an early age by two very different but equally powerful magicians... pitted against each other in a mysterious competition that spans nearly 30 years. The way this secret competition ends up encompassing Celia and Marco's lives....and the lives of everyone associated with the Circus (both directly and behind the scenes) is the true heart of this beautiful story. Every aspect of the storytelling works on every level. From the characters, to the atmosphere, to the budding romance, and the sense of dread that falls over everyone as things begin to spiral out of control.

Every second I spent reading this book was a joy, and i look forward not only to reading this book again, but to devouring anything else Erin Morgenstern releases in the future.

Anna Dressed In Blood ~ Kendare Blake

5++ Stars

Call me jaded or it could just be that having been a huge fan of horror from an early age, i have gotten to the point where it truly takes a LOT to unnerve me. But, while reading the incredibly entertaining Anna Dressed In Blood, i found myself feeling more than a little unsettled several times.

Cas is the new kid at the local high school in a small town in Canada. He also happens to be a ghost hunter. He (along with his mother, a White Witch) travel around the country dispatching spirits, following in the footsteps of his deceased father. He has come to find the spirit known as Anna Dressed in Blood, a 16 year old girl who was murdered on her way to a party. The legend goes that anyone who steps inside Anna's house, never comes out, and she has been blamed for dozens of gruesome deaths over the years. But for some reason when Cas breaches her doorstep, she allows him to live.

At times this book was frightening, heart-breaking, funny and even romantic. I truly loved each and every character, no matter how minor they might have appeared to be. And while I could argue that this book should be allowed to stand on it's own....with no real need for a sequel, I have to admit, i am excited to see what comes next for Cas and his group of unlikely friends.

A wonderfully entertaining joyride of a ghost story.