I have been Tagged!

Just checking out Amberkatze's really great blog and see that she tagged me. Oh Boy!! I've not been tagged since I was a kid. LOL

Rules

1. Grab the book closest to you.
2. Open it to page 161.
3. Find the fifth full sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence to your blog.
5. Don’t search around for the coolest book you have, use the one that is really next to you.
6. Tag five people to do this.





Well the book that is closest to me is not one I am reading, but it will have to do--

' All the rest is up to them.'

I will have to tag some Obsessers as well -- SandDanz, Nimrodiel, EllyMae, Cheesygiraffe & Karendawn.

#46 -- Realm of the Reaper by KA Applegate (EverWorld #4)

Things have become very weird, since April, Jalil, David and Christopher ended up in Everworld. They've been haunted by trolls and untameable Vikings, fought the Aztecs and then encountered Merlin and saw their first dragon.

*My Opinion*

This is the fourth book in the series and I am quite enjoying them. Each book is told from a different character's POV and this one is told by Jaliil, the brains of the group who also happens to suffer from OCD. He is the one who does not seem to have an obvious connection to Senna, who is the one who drew the teens into EverWorld.

In this book the teens encounter yet another of Loki's children, Hel. She is as bad as her name implies and they are in for a fight for their lives, like nothing they have encountered yet.

This is a fantastic series, especially if you were ever interested in Mythology. I am so happy that I have the entire series and don't have to stop between books!

#45 -- Enter the Enchanted by KA Applegate (EverWorld #3)

*From the Publisher*
In a parallel universe where mythology is real and wild imaginings are ordinary, four friends still haven't found Senna--or their way out of Everworld. They are about to encounter Merlin, one of the most powerful inhabitants of Everworld. He might know where to find Senna, but he has his own agenda.

*My Opinion*
Another great book in the series. In this book the story is told by April, the only girl in the group of 4 teens pulled into EverWorld. We also meet Merlin, Galahad, and dragons. The goal of the teens also changes. No longer is the goal to escape EverWorld, it is now to save it!

#44 -- Land of Loss by KA Applegate (Everworld #2)

*Synopsis*
David's life was pretty normal. School. Friends. Girlfriend. Actually, Senna was probably the oddest aspect of his life. She was beautiful. Smart. But there was something very different about her. Something strange.
And on the day it began, everything happened so quickly. One moment, Senna was with him. Kissing him. Holding his hand. The next she was swallowed up by the earth, her screams echoing from far, far away. David couldn't just let go. Neither could the others. His friends--and hers. So, they followed. And found themselves in a wold they never could have imagined.

Now they have to find Senna and get home without losing their lives. Or their minds. Or both...

Is Senna good or evil or some combination of the two? David, Christopher, Jalil, and April may die trying to find out.

*My Opinion*
The second book in the series and just as good as the first. This one takes up exactly where the first left off only instead of being told by David, the want to be hero, this one is told by Christopher, the class clown of the group. It is kind of interesting to hear the story continue but from a different POV. It is my understanding from my dd, who has read up to #9, that each of the books is told by a different character. Should make it interesting. I am going to go right on with the series as I have enjoyed it so much.

#43 -- Search for Senna by K.A. Applegate

From the Publisher
In the dark past, Zeus and Odin, Huitzilopoctli and Ra, and the other gods of myth decided to abandon the real world. They created another universe, where magic rules, where all the mystery and terror of these capricious immortals holds sway. It is a place where Vikings still sail in the name of Thor, where the Aztecs still make human sacrifices to Huitzilopoctli, and where Merlin still weaves his subtle webs.
For a thousand years and more, Everworld has existed apart from the real world. But now Everworld is in trouble. The cozy universe created by Earth's ancient immortals has been invaded by the creatures of myths that are no part of human tradition. The gods are under attack, divided and terrified. And in this moment of supreme danger, Loki, Norse god of evil, reaches across the barrier between Everworld and the real world to seize a new power: Senna Wales.

Senna carries with her four ordinary high school kids from the Midwest: David, the insecure hero and Senna's love; Christopher, the joker Senna spurned, who hides his own anger and bigotry beneath a glib veneer; Jalil, cold, calculating, and so devoted to rationality he can't even acknowledge his own strange tie to Senna; and April, Senna's half sister — actress, flirt, and Senna's most dangerous enemy.

*My Opinion*
Great start to what looks to be a great series. I could not put it down once I started it. In this first book of the series, we are introduced to the main characters as they are drawn into this strange new world by following Senna, a mysterious friend/sister/acquaintance, that one one really knows. As the teens are trying to figure out what is going on they are also trying to deal with a world nothing like theirs. A world full of dangerous Gods, Vikings, and danger.

#42 -- Undead and Uneasy by MaryJanice Davidson

*From the Publisher*
Weddings are never easy. But when you're Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor, they can become downright deadly...

In the days leading up to The Big Day, Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor seems to have a full house and the wedding guests have yet to arrive. Along with her human buddies, there's a ghost, a werewolf, and a Fiend crashing at her place. And though her fiancŽ, Vampire King Eric Sinclair, conveniently disappears when the conversation turns to seating charts and flower arrangements, he does manage to make his oh-so-sexy presence known at other moments.

Cold feet are no surprise, especially with an undead groom. But when Sinclair truly goes missing-and not just to avoid wedding preparations-along with most of her friends and loved ones, Betsy is frantic. Alone and afraid for the fate of everyone she loves, Betsy can't trust anyone as she tries to find them and whoever is behind all the disappearances. And what happens next will shake the foundation of the vampire world forever.

*My Opinion*
Loved this installment of the Undead series. After the disappointment of Undead & Unpopular I really enjoyed this book. Betsy is not nearly as shallow in this book but still is Betsy. lol MJD ties up a lot of loose ends and gives us a fun chapter in the life of Betsy the Vampire Queen.

#40 -- Drive-By by Lynne Ewing

From the Publisher
"Jimmy always told me there were only two kinds of gangbangers: Those who were dead and those who were going to die. Joining a gang doesn't make sense to Jimmy..."
Jimmy is dead now -- gunned down in front of his little sister, Mina, and his brother, Tito. And Tito is left wondering: Was Jimmy in a gang after all? Ice Breaker Joe and Lamar think so. They say Jimmy was skimming their drug money. And if the missing cash isn't returned, Tito may have to pay -- with his life.Some people go to the crossroads, but Tito's crossroads laid themselves down in front of him. His brother Jimmy sprawls on the sidewalk at his feet. Shot in a drive by. Now a gang claims that Jimmy was their Ace Man. They say Tito must take his place and resolve some unfinished business. They give him a gun. "You need protection. It's not safe on the street." What path will be choose at the crossroads? He knows one leads to safety and one to death . . . but which is which?

1997 Recommended Books for Reluctant Young Readers (ALA)
1997 Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library)
1999 Arizona Young Readers’ Award

My Opinion
Read this today and quite enjoyed it. It is about the aftermath of a drive by shooting. When a boy's older brother is shot and killed in a drive-by and the police say that his brother was involved in a gang, his brother does not believe it. He tries to deal with the death of his brother while also trying to take care of his single mother and young sister. Considering that this is book is written for younger readers, it gives a very insightful view into the life of inner-city kids and what they have to deal with every day.

#40 -- Indigo by Alice Hoffman

From the Publisher
13 year-old Martha Glimmer is convinced this is the worst time of her life. Her mother died, she grew 7 inches, and she has to put up with a woman who plys Martha's lonely father with food and opinions about how 13 year-old girls should behave. Martha longs to leave Oak Grove and travel. Martha's best friend Trevor and his brother Eli also want to leave Oak Grove. Nicknamed Trout and Eel because of the thin webbing between their fingers and toes, they long to see the ocean. Together, Martha, Trout, and Eel are going to find the true meaning of home -- in very unexpected places.


My Opinion
Both of my daughters read this (13 & 11 years old) and they both told me that I should read it. I did and I really enjoyed it. Really gets across the idea of the true meaning of friendship, family and love. I quite enjoyed it and I look forward to reading some of Alice Hoffman's adult novels.

#39 -- Outsiders: 22 All-New Stories From the Edge Edited by Nancy Holder

From the Publisher
In this knockout anthology, today’s most important writers of speculative fiction cruise the abnormal elements of society and find a new wave of underground disorder, poignant horror, dirty kisses, and necessary anarchy.

Including never-before published stories by:

Neil Gaiman, Steve Rasnic Tem, Kathe Koja, David J. Schow, Bentley Little, Poppy Z. Brite, Joe R. Lansdale, Jack Ketchum, Melanie Tem, Tanith Lee, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Lea Silhol, Freda Warrington, Elizabeth Massie, Brett Alexander Savory, Katherine Ramsland, Yvonne Navarro, Thomas S. Roche, Michael Marano, John Shirley, Brian Hodge, and Elizabeth Engstrom

...all at their most brilliant and most outrageous.

Here are dangerous games between lovers, howls from the dark, voyeurs and their victims, disturbed wishes and bitter dreams. Unflinching, uncommon, and underground, these tales vibrate with new life.

My Opinion
Like all anthologies this had good stories and not so good stories. For the most part though the stories were quite good. I enjoyed the fact that we got an introduction to each author. Overall a very worthwhile read.

#38 of 2007 -- X-Rated Bloodsuckers by Mario Acevedo

From the Publisher

Felix has survived Operation Iraqi Freedom, being turned into a vampire, and a ravenous horde of nymphomaniacs. Now he faces his toughest task ever—navigating the corrupt world of Los Angeles politics to solve the murder of a distinguished young surgeon turned porn star. But both human and vampire alike have reasons to want the secret to stay buried. . .

My Opinion

While I did not enjoy this one as much as his previous book, Nymphos of Rocky Flats, it was still a good read. It is more of a detective story than a vampire story. There was one notable new character introduced, Coyote, who I thoroughly enjoyed and hope to see more of in future books. I think that this author is finding himself and has a good thing going with Felix Gomez, Vampire & Private Eye!

#37 -- All together Dead by Charlaine Harris

From the Publisher
Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse has her hands full dealing with every sort of undead and paranormal creature imaginable. And after being betrayed by her longtime vampire love, Sookie must not only deal with a new man in her life-the shapeshifter Quinn-but also contend with the long-planned vampire summit.

The summit is a tense situation. The vampire queen of Louisiana is in a precarious position, her power base weakened by hurricane damage to New Orleans. And there are some vamps who would like to finish what nature started. Soon, Sookie must decide what side she’ll stand with. And her choice may mean the difference between survival and all-out catastrophe.

My Opinion

WOW!! What an excellent read. I think that the Southern Vampires Series just keeps getting better. In this one Sookie joins a group of vamps representing Louisiana at a Vampire Summit, where trials, weddings, and other vampire business is planned. She goes as an employee of the Vampire Queen of Louisiana who’s lands have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina, as well as having had a lot of personal problems.

In the midst of the summit all kinds of things go wrong, as the usually do and Sookie has to try to put the pieces of the puzzle together, while at the same time trying to juggle a budding new relationship with Quinn, the WereTiger, deal with her bond with Eric, and try to deal with her hatred of Bill, her first love. Add to all of this a plot to attack the vamps while they are all gathered together in one place and you get a non-stop roller coaster ride that you don’t want to end. I totally enjoyed it and can not wait till her next book in the series comes out as this one leaves a whole lot of loose ends to deal with.

#36 -- Hush by Mark Nykanen

From the Publisher
Art therapist Celia Griswold works at a center for severely emotionally disturbed children in rural Oregon, encouraging them to express their feelings through drawing. When seven-year-old Davy Boyce, an “elective” mute, is brought in by his strange, threatening stepfather, Chet, Celia senses that something is very wrong with the boy – his behavior is violent and his drawings suggest abuse. She tries to communicate her concerns to Chet, but she finds herself suddenly fearful. What starts as a simple puzzle in an ordinary woman’s life becomes a harrowing cat-and-mouse game. As Chet realizes that Davy’s drawings may reveal more truth than is acceptable, he begins to stalk Celia.

My Opinion

This is a very intense psychological thriller. The last 100 pages are non stop action and it is an excellent read. I will be looking for more books by this author.

#35 -- Fool Moon: Dresden Files #2 by Jim Butcher

From the Publisher
Business has been slow. Okay, business has been dead. And not even of the undead variety. You would think Chicago would have a little more action for the only professional wizard in the phone book. But lately, Harry Dresden hasn’t been able to dredge up any kind of work—magical or mundane.

But just when it looks like he can’t afford his next meal, a murder comes along that requires his particular brand of supernatural expertise.

A brutally mutilated corpse. Strange-looking paw prints. A full moon. Take three guesses—and the first two don’t count…

My Opinion

Excellent!! I enjoyed this one even more than the first one in the series. Harry Dresden and werewolves, what more could you ask for.

Non stop action and lots of excitement. We learn a little more about Harry and see more interaction between him and Murphy. Looking forward to reading more!

#34 -- Mort by Terry Pratchett

From the Publisher
Terry Pratchett’s profoundly irreverent novels are consistent number one bestseller in England, where they have catapulted him into the highest echelons of parody next to Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut, Douglas Adams, and Carl Hiaasen.

In this Discworld installment, Death comes to Mort with an offer he can’t refuse—especially since being, well, dead isn’t compulsory. As Death’s apprentice, he’ll have free board and lodging, use of the company horse, and he won’t need time off for family funerals. The position is everything Mort thought he’d ever wanted, until he discovers that this perfect job can be a killer on his love life.

My Opinion

This has been my favorite DiscWorld book so far. I loved ‘Death’. He is a fantastic character and this book was all about him. His apprentice ‘Mort’ is also a very likeable character. I am hoping that I get to read more about these characters as I follow the Reading Guide order of books.

I really look forward to reading more DiscWorld books as I love Pratchett's style and have fallen in love with the characters of the Disc. Fantastic series of books!!!