The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead ☆☆☆☆☆

Oh, Adrian. Richelle Mead definitely knows how to write her boys. I was madly in love with Dimitri in Vampire Academy and couldn't imagine a better guy to love. Especially in comparison to Adrian in that series. But within this series, Adrian is the only one to love. He is snarky like so many of the male characters I love to read, but his snark is good-intentioned and funny. He never seeks out to make anyone feel bad. And as Sydney says in the book, he's the only one that never asks for anything in the form of a demand. He's all heart. And it's part of his artistic side.

I wish I had the never to highlight my books (it's one of my favorite things about a Kindle), because I would have highlighted so many sections of this book. Lines I wanted to remember forever I transcribed into a notebook by my bed. But there were several places that weren't about lines, places that were about emotion or inside jokes. On my second night of reading there were several places that I busted out laughing, loud in my little apartment. At least two of those sections I was laughing so hard I had to catch my breath to keep on reading.

The end came much too soon and I was craving more and more Adrian (especially after the table and silverware, not explaining why). I can't wait to read the next book. I need more Adrian. Oh, how I wish these boys were real!

My only complaint with this book, aside from the ending coming too soon, was that you forgot they were vampires because they never fed. Throughout the entire book there was no mention of the Moroi going over to Clarence's to feed. Very strange. I think that reminder would have been helpful.

Alex by Lauren Oliver

Alex (Delirium #3.5) by Lauren Oliver ☆☆☆☆☆

This short story published at the end of Requiem was a welcome surprise. It only slightly took the sting out of the ending of the book.

This short story explores what Alex went through in the Crypts, things he never spoke out loud. It also explores the journey that brought him to the warehouse at the end of Pandemonium.

I've always been a big supporter of Alex. He's been my favorite since the beginning. He's the reason I cried the entire way through Pandemonium. So seeing his point-of-view and how he thought was a treasure. But it was also a great experience to see how those thoughts carried him through the events of his life.

I love that boy. Forever.

Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Requiem (Delirium #3) by Lauren Oliver ☆☆☆☆

Anger. Anger. Anger. That the first thing that comes to mind with this final installment of the Delirium series.

First of all, I was obviously way behind on finishing this series so I had been struggling against all costs to avoid spoilers where I could. I did catch one though that said no reader could possibly like the ending. I had that in mind, but a friend of mine read it before me and told me it wasn't as bad as others said. I had the consolation that Lauren Oliver said the ending was meant to allow a choice, not just for the characters, but for the reader. But ahhhh, my friend lied. The ending was way worse than I expected and she admitted she lied so she wouldn't give it away.

I'm not going to give spoilers either and say exactly what happened in the ending. However, I will say why I'm angry overall. I'm okay with open endings in books. Sometimes it's necessary so that we know the characters are moving on from the book and because sometimes we need to know that not all stories end with big bow of strings wrapped up and happy endings for all. I'm not naive to happy endings, I knew a war was going to break out. I made peace with that. What I didn't make peace with was a WIDE OPEN ending! There seemed to be no closer to the novel (or series) at all. I can't handle that, as a reader or as a writer. It killed me.

And even though I'm starting to move past my anger, it's still there gnawing at me in the back of my mind. There's nothing to do but carry on to the next book, the next series, after all. The ending is also the only reason I dropped a star on this book, because other than the ending I loved every minute of the book. And really, what can I expect when the one thing I hated about her other book, Before I Fall, was the way that one ended as well.

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels (Mortal Instruments #4) by Cassandra Clare ☆☆☆☆☆

I can't believe I put this book off for so long! I had read the first two chapters before my Spring semester started and because of school I put it down. I should have found a way to squeeze it in. I forgot just how much I missed Jace.

Jace is so turmoiled in this book that it can't help but break your heart. Simon has his own problems, but he really steps up and grows into himself despite his romantic struggles. And there was no way not to be happy for Joclyn and Luke!

It was nice seeing how her Infernal Devices series inspired her to add three more books to the Mortal Instruments series rather than end it at three. Magnus Bane already had his role in Infernal Devices, but Camille finally had her own role in Mortal Instruments and we're able to see her in unexpected predicaments as well.

This novel seemed mostly set within romantic strain. Clary and Jace. Simon and Isabelle. Simon and Maia. Maia and [spoiler]. Magnus and Alec. And even in a way Maryse and her husband. Despite the theme, the stories were connected very well and really set the story overall.

I can't wait to read the next one. But I'll have to. I have a big TBR list to get through and a couple other books are before it.

A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R. R. Martin ☆☆☆☆☆

With heavy encouragement from several of my friends and the Kindle version finally available from my library I gave it a shot. I never anticipated that it would take me nearly two months to finish this book. It has put me extremely behind on my reading list for the summer vacation (including working on my MFA thesis). But in the end, if I could give it more than five stars I would. Honestly, if I gave it five stars for each of the character point-of-views it would be well over what I wish I could give it.

I'm not a big fan of fantasy. The extent of my experience in it is problem reading Pierce's Alana books that my middle school teacher encouraged on our class. I have a hard time being set in a new place with things that don't exist. Don't get me wrong, I love dragons and the supernatural. But seasons that last for years? That was a hard suspension of disbelief for me. When I read to be set in a new place it's either a dystopian apocalypse of Earth, or a space ship because Earth was described. However, I really loved this exploration into fantasy. I have always liked the Middle Ages and those hints of it were appreciated (as well as he dragons). I was also watching the Merlin series shortly before reading this book so that put me in the mindset as well (since I always loved the Arthur tales).

I started watching the HBO series at the same time. When I was about half way through the book I started the first four episodes. I really loved them as well. I fell deeply in love with Jon Snow (which makes it difficult to keep reading when he's only 14 in the book haha). I also loved the see a lot of the things that happen behind the scenes in the book and none of the point-of-views that we see show, such as the talks between Petyr and Varys. My favorite scenes of course involved Renly, who I initially thought was not portrayed handsome enough from the book, but who had some of the most intriguing back stories of all.

I'm a Stark. (One of the friends that got me to read the book claims herself a Lannister, but bah!)
And I definitely want my own direwolf pup! :)

Raven by Lauren Oliver

Raven (Delirium #2.5) by Lauren Oliver ☆☆☆☆☆

It was really interesting to see Raven's point of view on the Julian rescue situation. Above all though it was shocking to learn about secrets Raven was hiding from everyone. That really changed to way I went into reading Requiem and made the events of that last novel have a strong impact on me. While I would have liked for Raven's secret to be revealed to at least one of the other characters, maybe it is better than none of them knew. It's still a twist I'm not sure I can accept overall, based on emotion. I don't want to believe it. But I guess the same could be said about the ending of the Hana short. I didn't want to believe it, but it was right there. At least Hana's secret became exposed in Requiem, especially for those that don't read the shorts.