Jen’s Top 10 “How Have You NOT Read This” YA Books

It seems lately whenever I bring up one of my favorite books/series, people respond with a blank stare, a careless shrug, or, worst of all, an “I’ve never heard of it” type of comment. AHHH! So, I decided it’s time for me to give you the heads up on some books you MUST read if you haven’t.

Jen’s Top 10 “How Have You NOT Read This?” YA Books

1. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

On average, I read a book a week. AKA, I read a lot. However, no matter how many pages I turn, or how many stories I finish, Daughter of Smoke & Bone remains one of my favorites of all time. And it’s troubling how few people are even aware of it. No offense to Hunger Games or Twilight, or even Divergent, but I wish the mass population would revere this story. Simply put, it’s awesome. Daughter of Smoke & Bone has everything a reader craves: intrigue, romance, humor, and, of course, adventure.

So go read it! And be sure to spread the word how awesome it is.

Check out my full review here!

2. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Sighhhhh…Just…God, just go read this series, okay? I can’t even begin…I can’t even tell you…AHHH! Just read it. Goooo.

Check out my full review here!

3. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Believe it or not, there are still people in the world who haven’t read Harry Potter. *cue gasps* Every time I encounter one of these rare beings, they usually tell me, “Well, I tried watching the movies, but I just wasn’t into them.”

…That’s all I have to say about that.

*clears throat*

READ HARRY POTTER!

4. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

When people ask me, “What’s your favorite book?” I first glare at them, and then I tell them I don’t have a favorite (what book nerd does?). Then, when they still won’t leave me alone, I spout off a handful of memorable titles. The Book Thief is always on the list. Always. And it should be on yours! I promise, it’s a tale you’ll never forget.

Check out my full review here!

5. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Barking spiders! You haven’t read the Leviathan series? Are you mad? What’s not to like? A round-the-world adventure? A would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne? A commoner girl disguised as a boy? Daring deeds? Fun? AMAZINGNESS!

Hey, all you sods, I can fly and you can’t! A natural airman, in case you haven’t noticed. And in conclusion, I’d like to add that I’m a girl and you can all get stuffed!

…Hmmm, I think even I need to go read this–again. So much fun!

Check out more about Leviathan here!

6. Legend by Marie Lu

Amongst all the dystopian books out there, Legend is my favorite. Think Les Miserables set in the future with a deadly virus, two badass protagonists, and lots of rip-roaring action.

In a nutshell, Legend is…

Book Review: The Fall of the Hotel Dumort (The Bane Chronicles Part #7)

Synopsis

“Magnus Bane watches the once-glamorous Hotel Dumort become something else altogether in 1970s New York City. Fifty years after the Jazz Age rise of the Hotel Dumort, immortal warlock Magnus Bane knows the Manhattan landmark is on the decline. The once-beautiful Hotel Dumort has fallen into a decayed thing, a ruin, as dead as a place can be. But the vampires don’t mind…”

Jen’s Review

In Part 7 of the Bane Chronicles, we find ourselves on the darkest path yet with Magnus Bane. This short story revolves around the Hotel Dumort’s vampires, including Magnus’s ex-love, Camille Belcourt, as well as formidable real-life issues, like drug addiction.

As in the previous Bane Chronicles, I enjoyed how Cassandra Clare and her co-author, Maureen Johnson, used an actual historical event to help build the story around (1977 New York Blackout). And, as always, I loved the writing itself, including the smooth dialogue and vivid descriptives. But, to be honest, I can’t say this was my favorite Magnus Bane adventure. With it being such a grim tale, his lighthearted wit, rueful charm and casual persona had to be put on a back burner (which, unfortunately, are always my favorite things when reading these short stories). “What would you want me to say to her? It’s hard to walk in after that long and just say ‘Stop attacking people. Also, how have you been since the turn of the century?’”

However, I liked the way Magnus’s kindness and compassion were highlighted throughout The Fall of the Hotel Dumort, and as sad as it was, I liked seeing his more “human” side come out at the end (I won’t go beyond that as you know how much I resent spoilers).

Go ahead and check out this next saga in Magnus Bane’s tumultuous tale!

Jen’s Rating

Read more about The Bane Chronicles here!

Book Review – The Bane Chronicles – Part 1 (jenspenden.wordpress.com)
The Bane Chronicles: The Fall of the Hotel Dumort by Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson (thebookboozer.wordpress.com)
Cassandra Clare to sign in Italy (examiner.com)

Book Review – The Bane Chronicles – Part 1

At last! I have finally read the first six stories released in The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare. And I’m in love with Magnus Bane more than ever. He is, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining character’s I’ve ever had the pleasure to read.

“I can’t get enough adventure. And adventure cannot get enough of me.” – Magnus Bane

Jen’s Review

Although humor remains a key element of the The Bane Chronicles (because humor is a key element of Magnus Bane’s personality), the stories themselves grow deeper and more serious as we read along. The first, What Really Happened in Peru, was by far the most lighthearted of the bunch, with line after line of clever wit and LOL moments. “Wallowing was for elephants, depressing people and depressing elephants.” By the sixth tale, Saving Raphael Santiago, Magnus is dealing with stickier topics, such as damned souls and shunned love. “Love did not overcome everything. Love did not always endure. All you had could be taken away, love could be the last thing you had, and then love could be taken too.”

I think this gradual progression of seriousness is because Magnus himself becomes more serious (though not too serious because then he wouldn’t be Magnus Bane). As the years of his immortal life passes, it’s clear he hardens up, grows more cautious and learns countless lessons from his countless adventures and affairs and tragedies.

“I have very few rules in life, but one of them is to never decline an adventure. The others are: to avoid becoming romantically entangled with sea creatures; to always ask for what you want, because the worst thing that can happen is embarrassment but the best thing that can happen is nudity; to demand ready money up front; and to never play cards with Catarina Loss.”

After reading these, I’ve decided Magnus Bane is one of my favorite fictional characters of all time. So you should think about reading them (especially if you enjoyed The Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments). But take heed: These are stories about Magnus. If you’re expecting to discover all the unsolved mysteries from The Infernal Devices or The Mortal Instruments, then think again. Although we encounter characters from those series (including Will and Tessa and their children), they’re not the focus of these chronicles. Magnus is. Personally, I like that. I believe Magnus deserves to have his story told. He’s a great character with plenty of wit, excitement and heart.

Currently, The Bane Chronicles are only available via e-book, but rumor has it that once all ten are released, they will be printed and bound into one book. Fingers crossed that’s true!

Jen’s Rating

Read more about The Bane Chronicles here!

30 Day Book Challenge: Day 13 (lizziedillabough.wordpress.com)
Jen’s Movie Review: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (jenspenden.wordpress.com)
#3.5 “Saving Raphael Santiago” by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan (infernalimagination.wordpress.com)

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