The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author), Dave McKean (Illustrations)

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Another great Gaiman read even if it is aimed at a younger audience.

The story starts out a bit dark with the murder of a family with the exception of a baby who just through a string of coincidences manages to toddle off to the local graveyard. When the killer realizes that his true target has escaped he goes looking for him only to be waylaid by the occupants of the graveyard who want to protect the baby. He is adopted by a set of ghostly parents and raised by an entire graveyard full of guardians.


After the grisly murder of his entire family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where the ghosts and other supernatural residents agree to raise him as one of their own.

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family . . .

Beloved master storyteller Neil Gaiman returns with a luminous new novel for the audience that embraced his New York Times bestselling modern classic Coraline. Magical, terrifying, and filled with breathtaking adventures, The Graveyard Book is sure to enthrall readers of all ages.

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We get to follow along as Bod -- short for Nobody Owens -- grows up in the graveyard. Along the way he realizes that he is not quite like the other occupants. We follow him through to 'adulthood' and it is quite the adventure.

Highly recommended for all Gaiman fans as well as anyone who wants a little light, fun reading with a bit of a dark edge.



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Gregor the Overlander (Underland Chronicles, #1) by Suzanne Collins

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


When eleven-year-old Gregor follows his little sister through a grate in the laundry room of their New York apartment, he hurtles into the dark Underland beneath the city. There, humans live uneasily beside giant spiders, bats, cockroaches, and rats—but the fragile peace is about to fall apart.

Gregor wants no part of a conflict between these creepy creatures. He just wants to find his way home. But when he discovers that a strange prophecy foretells a role for him in the Underland's uncertain future, he realizes it might be the only way to solve the biggest mystery of his life. Little does he know his quest will change him and the Underland forever.

Rich in suspense and brimming with adventure, Suzanne Collin's debut marked a thrilling new talent, and introduced a character no young reader will ever forget.
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Reading this series along with my 12 year old. Since it is by the author of 'Hunger Games' I was expecting a great read. I was not disappointed. Both my daughter and I enjoyed this first book in the series.

Keeping in mind that this is a children's book, the adventure that Greogor finds himself involved in is quite enthralling. I found that I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens next. What a fantastical world Collins has created in Underland. With talking roaches, spiders, bats and rats. As Gregor realizes that he is the prophesied Warrior who can save the humans from war with the rats, he also has to worry about taking care of his baby sister Boots and discovering that his father who disappeared over 2 years ago is in Underland and being help as prisoner by the rats. All in all a very emotional journey that we get to join the questors on. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series as soon as I can get it from my daughter.



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Timeless (Parasol Protectorate, #5) by Gail Carriger

Timeless by Gail Carriger

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. Of course, being Alexia, such bliss involves integrating werewolves into London High society, living in a vampire's second best closet, and coping with a precocious toddler who is prone to turning supernatural willy-nilly. Even Ivy Tunstell's acting troupe's latest play, disastrous to say the least, cannot put a damper on Alexia's enjoyment of her new London lifestyle.

Until, that is, she receives a summons from Alexandria that cannot be ignored. With husband, child, and Tunstells in tow, Alexia boards a steamer to cross the Mediterranean. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. What does the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive really want from her? Why is the God-Breaker Plague suddenly expanding? And how has Ivy Tunstell suddenly become the most popular actress in all the British Empire?

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What a perfectly Alexia Tarabotti finish to an absolutely fantastic series. I love the way that the series was wrapped up in such a perfectly amusing fashion. I have really enjoyed this series of books.

The mystery of the God-Breaker Plaque is solved, Alexia and Lord Maccon's future is laid out and everything was wrapped up nicely. Loved how Biffy and Ivy were involved in the ending as Biffy was one of favorite characters.

I am definitely going to be looking for more from Gail Carriger in the future!!



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Lover Avenged (Black Dagger Brotherhood #7) by J.R. Ward

Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Rehvenge is used to living in the shadows and dealing with the roughest night walkers around—including the Black Dagger Brotherhood. As his secret identity as a sympath is threatened, he turns to the only light in his ever darkening world—a female vampire untouched by corruption, who’s the only thing standing between him and eternal damnation.

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I love the Brotherhood.

This book took me longer than usual to read. Mostly because there was so much going on. While the book's main focus was Rehvenge and his shellan Ehlena there was so much more going on in this novel of the Brotherhood. It is amazing how Ward has developed this series into such an emotional read involving the entire Brotherhood and the trials that they face daily in the war against the lessers.

I can not wait to read more. I hope that Ward never brings and end to the Brotherhood novels!!



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Father Mine: Zsadist and Bella's Story (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #6.5) by J.R. Ward

Father Mine: Zsadist and Bella's Story by J.R. Ward

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Readers met and fell in love with Zsadist and Bella in J. R. Ward-s third New York Times bestselling novel in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Lover Awakened. As a former blood slave, Zsadist bore the scars from a past filled with suffering and degradation until Bella came along and helped heal his emotional wounds. Now, though, with the birth of their child, the demons of his past have been resurrected, called forth by the innocent eyes of his beloved daughter, Nalla. Unless Bella and Nalla can bring him back with their love, he may be lost to them forever.

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Read this story in the BDB Insiders Guide.

What an emotional roller coaster. I always say when I finish one of Ward's books that it amazes me how she writes in such a way that connects her readers so emotionally with the story.

This story is about Z's journey to fatherhood. His acceptance of himself and his past in regards to Nalla. Touching and heartwarming.




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Envy (The Fallen Angels #3) by J.R. Ward

Envy by J.R. Ward

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A man and a woman tread the lines of danger, desire, and deliverance in the new novel of the Fallen Angels from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

As the son of a serial killer, homicide detective Thomas "Veck" DelVecchio, Jr., grew up in the shadow of evil. Now, on the knife-edge between civic duty and blind retribution, he atones for the sins of his father- while fighting his inner demons. Assigned to monitor Veck is Internal Affairs officer Sophia Reilly, whose interest in him is both professional and arousingly personal. And Veck and Sophia have another link: Jim Heron, a mysterious stranger with too many answers... to questions that are deadly. When Veck and Sophia are drawn into the ultimate battle between good and evil, their fallen angel savior is the only thing that stands between them and eternal damnation.

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I absolutely love the way that Ward writes. She manages to get me emotionally involved with the characters. I love the little peeks into the Black Dagger Brotherhood series in this book as well. I have as yet not read the book that Veck appears in but intend to soon as I am very interested in seeing the tie.

I experienced the range of emotions in this one. I felt sorry for Veck, having had the stigma of his father to live his life with and always doubting himself when he was so obviously, at least to me, a good soul. I was so pissed at Reilly. That she could be so gullible and so easily believe the worst of Veck. I was heartbroken for Adrian. I am a little concerned for Jim with this obsession over Sissy. It seems a little unnatural and to be honest a little bit creepy.

As usual with Ward's books a great read that leaves me wanting more real soon.



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