Cybele's Secret

Cybele's Secret by Juliet Marillier, 2008 Knopf Books

     The beautiful daughters of a country scholar-merchant were trapped by circumstances in the Wildwood near their home. After breaking the spell-like circumstances forcing the girls to take solace with the Night People they return to the lives set before them. Paula is the fourth daughter and accompanies her father on a trip to Istanbul searching for an ancient pagan artifact.
     Her father believes it necessary for Paula to be accompanied by a bodyguard in the foreign city. Soyan is a young man of honor and feels that a trip he made while in the employ of her father's friend left him vulnerable and resulted in the man's death and Stoyan now feels he can repay the debt to her father by protecting Paula. Paula highers the overly-honest man to be her protector. She shares her mission in Istanbul with Stoyan who knows of the statue of Cybele through his work for her father's friend.
     Paula seeks the statue of an ancient goddess through new and influential friends in the city. The leading female scholar in Istanbul allows Paula to examine her library. Manuscripts lead the young woman to a secret society centered around Cybele (said Ke-beh-leh). The cult has already killed one member of the rare books community--Stoyan's previous employer, the friend Paula's father traveled to Istanbul to meet. The search for Cybele's statue becomes more and more dangerous as Paula discovers this mission isn't only a task from her father. Paula and the search for the Cybele statue are tied by a quest set by the Night People.
     When her new acquaintances prove to be more dangerous and untrustworthy than she expected Paula's father is threatened, and Paula and Stoyan try to stay a step ahead of Cybele's cult as they search for a statue to change the world.
     Young adult readers who enjoyed Wildwood Dancing and Anna of Byzantium will find similarities in Cybele's Secret. The Byzantine influence on European characters blends old-world with new-world mythology. The story of a goddess misunderstood and sought for multiple reasons will interest readers who enjoy strong female characters while the connection between Paula and Stoyan adds a romantic overtone for young adult and teen readers.

Breaking Dawn

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer, 2008 Little, Brown & Company

     After their wedding, Bella and Edward Cullen spend their honeymoon on the Brazillian island Carlisle bought Esme. Two weeks in Bella realizes she's carrying her husband's half-vampire child, and the pregnancy is definitely not normal.
     The pregnancy is progressing unnaturally quickly, Bella's life. Jacob Black returns thinking Bella was turned vampire. He begs Bella to save herself and abort the fetus. Bella refuses and when the wolves come calling to prevent the child's birth Jacob breaks from the pack and becomes alpha of his own splinter.
     The half-vampire baby demands that Bella drink blood and she slowly gets better while Jacob's small pack guards the Cullens. The family has no idea when the baby is due, and Carlisle is out when Bella falls inducing labor. Bella nearly dies in labor and Edward changes her into a vampire.
     Jacob fears Bella has died and, blaming the baby, tries to kill Renesmee. Jacob discovers the quickly growing infant is his soulmate when he imprints on her. The Volturi return when Renesmee is thought to be an Immortal Child. The bond between Jacob and Renesmee creates a truce much stronger than the original pact and the werewolves stand by the Cullens against the Volturi.
     In a dramatic conclusion to the series, Bella and Edward have concluded their dancing around each other. The family grows and is challenged as their influence grows. The story is easily accessible to readers of all ages, though New Moon has content inappropriate for younger readers.

Odd and the Frost Giants

Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman, 2008 Bloomsbury

     Odd has always been a little different: his viking father drowned during a raid, he became lame as a child, and when his mother remarries Odd is neglected. When the winter begins to extend unnaturally life in the village becomes more and more strained.
     During a walk in the woods Odd comes across three talking animals including a bear stuck in a tree. The fox, eagle, and bear tell Odd a story of the Norse gods who have been evicted from their home in Asgard. The three are Odin, Thor, and Loki and they ask Odd's help in returning home.
     The boy agrees to help the gods and thus begins his adventures. Odin takes Odd to a magical well where he discovers wisdom and a vision of the past. Odd speaks with the giant and finds the root of the conflict.
     This short story is the tale of how the town misfit found a way to help the all-powerful Norse gods in a turn of events even Odd himself never expected. Gaiman's novella is aimed at younger readers, though readers of all ages will enjoy the story.

The Outlaw Demon Wails

The Outlaw Demon Wails by Kim Harrison, 2008 Eos

    Rachel is back! It's been a couple months since her boyfriend's brutal murder and she seeks resolution when she isn't struggling to get out of bed. Rachel and Ivy share their grief and struggle to find a new normal. 

     Unfortunately, Rachel has voluntarily practiced forbidden demon magic and is experiencing the effects of working with a demon. Someone is releasing Algaliarept from his prison in the Ever After to hunt down the witch. Rachel and her family (both chosen and given) must hide from Al's revenge. In keeping her friends and family safe Rachel discovers her mother has been keeping secrets. 

     David, a friend, coworker, and Rachel's were alpha, encourages Rachel to develop her relationship with their pack and by extension her witch family. He helps her investigate who is releasing Al from his cell and endangering all of Cincinnati. 

     Trent returns and Rachel faces his criticism for dabbling in demon magic, but elven princess Ceri's friendship and support help Rachel stand strong. Ivy and Jenks are still the foundation for Rachel's continued fight even as they deal with their own loss and angst. Ivy has lost her childhood friend and Jenks is dealing with his growing awareness of his limited lifespan. 

     Not only does Rachel uncover personal secrets, but also secrets as to the history of the race of witches. The black and white nature of her relationship with Trent becomes more nuanced as Rachel works with Ceri, Quen, and Trent to solve not just the problem of the Rosewood babies, but also the elves. 

     In The Outlaw Demon Wails Rachel and her friends deal with the loss of one of their closest companions. As an adult novel, the story deals with death and ambiguous morals which create depth in the characters and their universe. 

Superior Saturday

Superior Saturday by Garth Nix, 2008 Scholastic Books

     When Arthur returns from his grapple with Lady Friday he discovers Saturday has unleashed the human army on his hometown. With five keys in his possession Arthur is over halfway to  being an immortal Denizen of the House. He leaves Leaf in the human world to sort out his home and hurries back into the Lower House where Nothing is on the verge of destroying everything.
     Arthur goes into the Great Coal Mine where he is partially protected by the sorcery around the Old One. The Old One provides cryptic direction, but Arthur doesn't fully understand it. He makes his way into the Citadel hoping to strike at Saturday before she has a chance to summon the sorcery she has been amassing in preparation for the Will's escape and the appearance of the Rightful Heir.
     Saturday has plans to reach Sunday's realm in the Incomparable Gardens and hopes to slow the growth by destroying the Lower House with Nothing. The Will, in the form of Dame Primus, urges Arthur to return with the final two keys before there is nothing left of the Lower and Middle House. The young man, along with several old friends, travels into the Upper House where Saturday has begun her assault on the Incomparable Gardens.
     The tale ends on a cliffhanger as the battle rages between portions of the Upper House. Saturday and Sunday, their portions of the Will, and their Keys are the last obstacle between Arthur and his place as Rightful Heir. Back at home Leaf calls to Arthur as all appears lost. The story is written for middle grade readers, though those who enjoyed the preceding books will enjoy this penultimate book of the series.

The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, 2008 HarperCollins

     A toddler wanders from the home of his murdered family up the hill to a nearby cemetery. With the killer, Jack, following his footsteps the boy is protected by the ghosts of the graveyard. He is adopted by a couple who never had children themselves and becomes Nobody Owens. The boy is given the Freedom of the Graveyard and a mysterious figure neither alive nor dead, Silas, becomes his guide to the world outside the cemetery.
     Bod grows quickly in the eyes of the dead. He learns to talk and is educated by the ghosts. The cemetery no longer accepts new tenants, but a portion of the property is a nature preserve where families and couples come for picnics. Bod meets and befriends a little girl named Scarlett. He tells the girl about the ghosts who inhabit the graveyard, and though she cannot see them, Scarlett is fascinated. The two sneak into the oldest tomb on the property where they encounter the Sleer - a terrifying presence which is the impetus for Scarlett's parents refusing to allow her visits to the cemetery.
     The boy continues to have adventures: he meets and befriends the ghost of a young woman prosecuted as a witch; he goes to school outside the graveyard, confronts the school's bullies, and triumphs; he dances the Macabray with Death herself; Bod lives a unique life with his dead, unchanging family. With Silas as the voice of wisdom and Mrs. Lepescu a grueling taskmistress Bod is given tools to survive both the world of the living and the world of the dead. He will need those skills as Jack has not ceased searching for the toddling boy who escaped.
     Shaped by ghosts, goblins, friends and a haphazard kind of family, Nobody Owens must discover what makes life worth living. He cannot remain in the graveyard, but must move beyond the memories to truly live. Gaiman tells the tale of a child growing into a young man with a flourishing imagination, in a voice readers of all ages can enjoy.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George, 2008 Bloomsbury Childrens

         The ninth child and fourth daughter of a poor woodcutter's family the Pika (Swedish for young girl) is ignored by her mother even remaining nameless throughout childhood. The family lives in a land of eternal winter. The Pika is cared for by her siblings, especially the eldest Hans Peter - who returns a tired and worn man after spending most of the Pika's childhood traveling the world.
     When the mystical white reindeer is seen around the outskirts of town all men of the village chase him. The girl joins the hunt in hopes that catching the white reindeer will grant her a wish.
     The Pika manages to free the white reindeer without realizing it and he gifts her with the ability to understand animals and her greatest wish: a name. For the next few years the Pika keeps her name a secret and her gift of speaking to animals brings her family renown.
     When an Isbjorn, giant polar bear, comes searching for the teenaged Pika her understanding of his language encourages the bear to implore the Pika join him in his palace in the North. Their home offers every luxury and convenience. The bear tells the Pika in exchange for a year with him her family will receive great riches.
     The Pika agrees and is startled as each night a strange man joins her in bed - nothing so sinister as trying to take advantage, whoever the man is he climbs into bed in the dark of night and sleeps the night through, then is gone before the Pika wakes in the morning. The Isbjorn warns her not to light a candle, what the Pika discovers after several months of nightly visits is enough to drive her curiosity to nearly disregard the single request the Isbjorn has made of her.
     Trapped in the mysterious castle with only the Isbjorn, his servants, and her wolf-pup from home the Pika discovers the magic and mystery are intertwined in a curse. A curse which has touched even Hans Peter and sends the Pika East of the sun and West of the moon to rescue her Isbjorn. A retelling of the Scandinavian folk tale Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow is aimed at young adult readers and full of grotesque magics practiced on everyday people.

City of Secrets

City of Secrets by Mary Hoffman, 2008 Bloomsbury

   Matt Wood follows his friends, Nick and Georgia, into an antique store where he finds a book which somehow speaks to him. Matt rarely finds a connection with books as he is dyslexic, but this book is different. When he falls into a stress-induced sleep holding the book, Matt awakens in the scriptorium at the university in Padavia; a city much like Renaissance Padua.
     The man who introduces him to this strange world is Professor Constantin. Constantin explains the Scriptorium to Matt and describes Stravagation. The professor believes Matt is meant to help him print outlawed anatomy manuscripts and disperse them throughout Talia. Nick and Georgia are Stravagante too--they help Matt balance the two parts of his life and to grow with his responsibilities in Talia.
     At the Scriptorium Matt meets Lucien, a fellow classmate who has transferred into Talia and is studying at the university. Luciano's fiancee is Arianna, the Duchessa of Bellezza, and Matt struggles to deal with the rediscovery. Meanwhile, Arianna's enemies and the enemies of the Stravagante, the di Chimici, continue to use social unrest in an attempt to unite Talia and gain both the political power and ability to travel between worlds which is unavailable to them.
     When danger strikes his newfound friends, Matt finds he is the only one who can assist. He finds faith in himself enough to stand up to the di Chimici and risk his life for his beliefs. Matt struggles with his abilities and trying to be like others; early teen readers will relate to his experience in balancing the adventure and the responsibility of growing up.

A Fistful of Charms

A Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison, 2008 Harper Voyager

     Rachel Morgan has just finished dealing with one supernatural problem in the Hollows when another slinks its way into her life. David is a werewolf who agrees to form a pack with Rachel--for insurance purposes only. He also happens to be an insurance adjuster. Rachel is challenged for her place as Alpha female, and she must learn to fight as the weres do to maintain her place.
     But something is happening with the Weres. They've been creating larger and larger packs and the infighting which keeps packs to a manageable level is quelled. When Rachel steps in to investigate, her ex--Nick--rises to the front of the queue.
     Nick is on an island which appears to be the center of the normal pack dynamics breakdown. When Rachel sneaks her way past the militant guards she discovers Nick has, not surprisingly, gotten himself involved with demon artifacts which cause these weres to form a single pack.
     With David's help, and some iffy magick of her own, Rachel wrests the magic away from the weres who hired Nick to retrieve it. Then Rachel must discover a way to protect the artifact and keep its uncertain power from tipping the balance of power in the Hollows.
     Away from Ivy's influence and with a human-sized Jenks, Rachel is a loose cannon. Her already unconventional way of surviving the feuds of the Hollows has begun to chafe by this, her fourth adventure. While she still maintains that her magic practice is morally good vampires, weres, and even demons are knocking on Rachel's door with more and more forceful offers of employment. Rachel Morgan continues to fight back and mature readers who enjoy a strong yet imperfect female lead will enjoy Rachel's sassiness. 

Storyteller

Storyteller by Edward Myers, 2008 Clarion Books

     In this framed story an old man tells his grandson the story of Jack. Jack is a farmboy from a small town on the edge of Sundar--but not a simple farmboy. Jack must tell stories as they bubble up from inside him. While still at home Jack meets the mysterious Woman in the Woods and discovers her kingdom in the forest outside town. When he turns seventeen Jack leaves home to seek his fortune.
     On his journey simply Jack becomes Jack Storyteller. He finds that stories are his life's purpose and meets several new friends. Loquasto is a talking bird who has fallen in love with the fish princess Artemisia; one-eyed Garth Golden-Eye is a Robin Hood-like outlaw; the Princess Stelinda is the love of Jack's life, and the daughter of King Alphonse, older sister to Prince Yoss.
     When Yoss, with the help of illusionist Zephyrio, takes Stelinda's throne at their father's death his rule plunges Sundar into depression, both economic and psychological. Stelinda and Jack Storyteller are roped into Yoss's menagerie, driving them apart.
     Jack discovers that his life is a story he has allowed to run free. The storyteller must discover a way to re-harness his tale and put his life back on the track he planned. Storyteller is a new sort of fairytale, accessible to readers as young as elementary school while still able to capture older readers' attention.

Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth

Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan, 2008 Hyperion Books

     After The Titan's Curse Percy, Annabeth, and Grover have separated for the new school year. Percy is dragged back into the fight between the Greek Gods and Kronos's army from his high school Freshman Orientation. When two demons disguised as cheerleaders attack Percy the young woman who can see through the mists, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, helps him escape.
     Back at Camp Half-Blood the danger is escalating. Kronos's forces are heckling at the boundary of the camp and the magic keeping the demigods safe begins to buckle. Annabeth, Percy, Grover, and Tyson answer the call of Camp Half-Blood's Oracle and quest into the Labyrinth under the camp.
     Using Princess Ariadne's magic string Percy leads their adventure under camp into Daedalus's maze. The Labyrinth stretches under the United States and the friends encounter old allies and new dangers throughout their journey.
     The dangers mount as the inevitable crash between Olympus and the armies of Kronos nears. Percy and his friends continue to face obstacle after obstacle with the hope they will manage to rescue and protect their world from certain destruction. Like the first three books in the Percy Jackson series young readers will enjoy the mysticism and the adventure of The Battle of the Labyrinth.

The Joys of Love

The Joys of Love by Madeleine L'Engle, 2008 Farrar, Straus & Giroux

     On a stage balanced over the ocean's edge Elizabeth Jerrold is an apprentice of the summer theater company. Acting is her dream and this summer is her chance to make the dream come true. After four years of chemistry at college, Liz convinced her aunt to fund this summer job in exchange for her cooperation. But when Aunt Harriet calls to summon Liz back to Virginia for immoral behavior, Elizabeth fights for one last week to work under her idol, Valborg Andersen. 
     Events conspire to allow Liz one more week, but that week holds more than she bargained for. When the politics of the theater rip away the prime opportunity for Liz to break into professional acting, her friends step in and make it a week to remember. 
     Practicing scenes, managing the box office, and free time on the beach fill the friends' free time while they each discover their own hopes and dreams. Liz fights the expectations placed upon her to find her path; from Ben, the sweet, loyal young man who stays by her side through trouble; to the sophisticated director/producer who flits from woman to woman with the sense of his own importance Elizabeth must choose between the choices presented, or step off the boardwalk adn trudge her own path across the sand. 
     Liz's story, while steeped in romance, is more than the usual young adult meandering about a life's plan gone awry. She is passionate and, at twenty, has an integral belief in who she is. Teens and young adults can enjoy and relate to her story as she grows to accept those things she cannot change, but also battles to chance those things she can.

Aurelia

Aurelia by Anne Osterlund, 2008 Speak

     Crown Princess Aurelia is impetuous and headstrong. When her father hides several assassination attempts from her and calls to the edges of his kingdom for his former King's Spy the king of Tyralt does not get what he wants. Robert, a former classmate and childhood friend of Aurelia's returns to court in the guise of a young man attempting to find his place--his real task is to keep the princess alive.
     Aurelia is overjoyed to have Robert return, but her friend's return is overshadowed by this strange and inexplicable notion her father has to keep her locked within the palace. Aurelia wants to be among her people and hopes to get to know the subjects she will one day rule, but her father's sudden tendency to be overprotective strain her patience. Even further frustrating her is her father's lack of communion with the people--he is running the country into the ground with lavish parties to please his second wife while the people suffer.
     Robert does not want to keep his real mission from his friend, and when the attacks on her life become more and more overt, the king realizes he may be right. Aurelia is shocked to discover anyone might want to kill her, but agrees to be protected. The friendship between Princess and her favored courtier looks to grow into something more than just friendship when Aurelia is nearly destroyed by a mob--her quick thinking and ability to convince the crowd she is genuinely interested in their concerns save her, but the stakes are raised.
     To prevent another possible disaster the friends plan to bring the conspirators out into the open--but the plan is sabotaged and Aurelia finds herself fighting for her life while her father and Robert watch without chance of rescuing her. Betrayal is at the highest levels of the palace but who can Aurelia trust, and will it gain her freedom?
     Robert is the long-lost suitor, pining for his old friend, but the woman she's grown into is passionate and knows when to concede the point. Their relationship becomes something for the court gossips to chew on, yet their story is one readers of all ages can enjoy.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, 2008 Schoolastic Press

     Life in the Seam is not easy for anyone, but Katniss Everdeen had discovered a way to support her family and her community through illegal hunting. Along with her friend Gale she supplies meat to the black market and life is bearable. When the annual Hunger Games rolls around, the people of District 12 living along the Seam are hesitant to allow the Capitol to reap their children for the annual fight to the death.
     The champions of the Hunger Games lives in splendor and luxury for the remainder of their lives, but at the cost of their humanity. In order to win the contestant must defeat the remaining Tributes--two teens from each of the twelve districts of Panem--and win the Games. Success would mean Katniss's family's survival, but it could also mean her death--when her young sister is called the first year she is eligible Katniss knows she must volunteer to save her mother's sanity and younger sister's life.
     Along with the baker's son, Peeta Mellark, Katniss goes into the arena defiant and hoping to survive long enough to mean something, but expecting nothing. When her one alliance is destroyed Katniss Everdeen is intent on getting back at the Capitol any way she can. Through luck and the survival skills she and Gale developed beyond the borders of District 12, Katniss manages to make it to the last, bringing Peeta with her. In one last strike at the Capitol and its games Katniss and Peeta threaten mutual suicide and are allowed to live.
     The Hunger Games is not a love story, it is the beginning of a revolution against a government which reminds its populace of its superiority by destroying the humanity of the next generation. The Games are a power tool used to keep the defeated districts under control and Katniss is the spark that lights the fire. The book is not suited for younger readers with vivid violence and psychological manipulation, teens and more mature readers will understand the story's nuances and appreciate its complex commentary.

A Promise to Believe In

A Promise to Believe In by Tracie Peterson, 2008 Bethany House Publishers

     When the Gallatin Girls' father is accidentally killed while some of the local ranch hands are celebrating their weekend the three young women are left to run their Boarding House along the stage's path without a man's guidance or protection. In rural Montana that could spell disaster, but the Gwen, Beth, and Lacy Gallatin are headstrong ladies and women of strong character. They continue to operate their father's business while they struggle to deal with their grief.
     The situation is only compounded when Gwen's dead husband's brother shows up on their doorstep demanding to see the hussy who married his brother then let him die in a measles outbreak. Hank Bishop stays with the girls hoping to find the property his brother had stolen, but the longer he lives and watches them, the more he understands Gwen isn't the gold-digging minx he imagined. He comes to admire the women: Gwen mothering her two sisters and holding the family together covering up the belief that she is destined to kill those she loves, Beth's saucy side hidden beneath the innocence of a lady, and Lacy's forthright attitude and stubborn quest to find their father's killer.
     When he finds his family's property and returns it to Mrs. Bishop, Hank must leave the women and land he's come to love. During his absence the greedy neighbor slowly tries to push the Gallatin women and their respectable values out of their home and the growing town. The wilds of Montana grow less wild in leaps and bounds while Gwen Gallatin and her sisters cling to what is theirs.
     With their Christian values and frontier grit, the Gallatin girls are compassionate and persistent. They care for their community, even when the community doesn't care for them. They stick together and stick to their beliefs. Gwen, Beth and Lacy Gallatin are women ahead of their time yet also women of their time seeking love and family through the plans of their Heavenly Father. Readers of all ages will enjoy A Promise to Believe In.

The Hope Chest

The Hope Chest by Karen Schwabach, 2008 Random House

   In 1920 the world was changing. Violet only saw her brother come home from World War I shell shocked and bed-ridden and her sister leave home for New York City and the chance to become a nurse. Violet stayed home with her sometimes harshly ignorant father and her mother, who was mourning her son's loss.
     One day Violet discovered letters her sister had written and her parents had kept from her. Incensed, the eleven-year-old fled to New York to meet with her older sister. When she arrived Chloe had already left the city to help in the women's suffrage movement. Violet continues to look for Chloe, and accepts the aid of a young black girl, an orphan sent north for training as a maid. The pair go to Washington, DC then on to Tennessee where Chloe is fighting for votes to ratify the 19th Amendment.
     Violet's parents say Chloe has become "The Wrong Sort of Person" but Violet finds herself becoming more and more like Chloe with each new experience. Violet stands on the brink of listening to her parents and living their ideals, and becoming her own person with thoughts and political opinions of her own. This story follows that transition, with historical photographs and material to show readers where in the scope of history Violet fits. Elementary readers will enjoy the fast-paced action and even learn something about the fight for Women's Suffrage.

City of Ashes

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare, 2008 McElderberry

     After discovering she is a Shadowhunter and that her mother had lied to her for the greater part of her life, Clarissa Fray is avoiding her new-found brother and the world he represents. Clary stays with Luke, her werewolf godfather, in his home while her mother is in the hospital in a coma. Simon, Clary's best friend, has professed his feelings, and the two try out a relationship of something more than friendship; somewhat unsettling for Clary as she still has feelings for Jace (her long lost brother).
     Clary's silence is unsettling for Jace--he is torn between how he should care for his younger sister and how he does care for her. He begins to hunt demons to take the edge off, rather than because it is his job, and the Lightwood children begin to worry. Things escalate when Isabelle and Alec's mother Maryse Lightwood returns and banishes him from the institute.
     Leaving the Institute, Jace goes to a downworlder bar where he picks a fight with Luke's werewolf pack. When one of the Lycanthrope children is attacked by a mysterious figure, the pack calls on Jace to help. When Jace refuses, wallowing in self-pity for being kicked out of his only home and Clary's silence, Luke intervenes and stops the pack from murdering him. Luke convinces Clary to talk to Jace and the two convince him to return to the Institute and speak to Maryse.
     The Shadowhunter's Inquisitor comes to investigate Jace's involvement with Valentine at the end of City of Bones. She is a cold woman and shows an extreme dislike for Jace from the get-go, when Jace's arrogance angers her, the Inquisitor locks him in cells in the underground Silent City of the Silent Brothers. While he is there, Valentine steals the Soul-Sword of Raziel the Angel using a fear demon to kill the Silent Brothers. Coupled with the murder and draining of several downworlder children, Jace, Clary, Simon, Isabelle, and Alec piece together Valentine's plan to turn the Sword against the Nephilim and give it power over demons.
     In their quest to rally aid, the group enters the faery realm. Jace and Clary discover their father had done something to give his unborn children special capabilities, though the two deny anything special. When she is tricked into eating some of the fairy food, Clary is nearly trapped, but the queen offers her freedom at the "kiss she most desires." Simon thinks the kiss is from him, but it is when Jace kissed Clary that she is freed. The turn of events causes a rift between Simon and Clary, who had been becoming closer and closer.
     Simon storms away when they return to the human realm, only to be brought to the Institute by Raphael, the leader one one of New York's vampire clans. Simon had ingested some vampire blood during his time as a rat, and when he broke into the vampire nest, Raphael's clan attacked him and began the process of turning him. They bury Simon and watch the transformation of his vampire re-birth. Clary and Simon begin rebuilding their relationship and Clary gives up her contact with Jace as penance for her part in Simon's new status. While they're trying to figure out how to tell his mother, Maia (one of Luke's pack) is attacked on Luke's front lawn. Clary calls the Shadowhunters and Magnus Bane to heal her, but Luke is injured when the demons sent after Maia catch him and Magnus must help him as well. Jace and Clary hurry to Luke's rescue and fight his assailants, who flee when they catch a glimpse of the Mark Clary recieved from her mother in a dream.
     When the two return to the house talk turns to Clary's use of the runes: the opening rune she used in the Silent City was much too strong to be a simple opening rune, yet it was. She puts forth the idea that her special ability was the ability to put more power into the runes than they possessed on their own, and to create new runes. Clary creates a "fearless" rune and the group tests it on Alec, who declares to the world that he is dating someone, but Magnus silences him when he begins to say who. Alec wakes and is defensive, claiming not to remember anything--a sign the rune worked.
     They decide to turn in for the night while Maia and Luke heal, but Jace sneaks away on Raphael's demonic motorcycle to meet with Valentine on a ship in the middle of the river. He promises Jace not to kill his loved ones if Jace will return to him, but Jace refuses. When he returns to the other Shadowhunters, the Inquisitor accuses him of siding with Valentine and threatens to kill him if Valentine doesn't return the Mortal Cup and Soul Sword. Jace tells her his father won't make the trade, but the Inquisitor insists a father's love will trump his desire for power--she hopes to take revenge for the death of her child.
     Maia leaves Luke's home, but on her way to visit Simon, the fear demon attacks her and brings her to Valentine. Meanwhile, Valentine comes for Simon. Clary, Luke, Jace, and Magnus go after Maia and Simon and manage to rescue Maia. But when Jace finds Simon, he has already been drained of blood. Jace allows Simon to drink from him and restore his life, then joins the fray on the ship's deck. The Inquisitor and New York's Shadowhunters join the battle against Valentine's demon army. The Inquisitor stops Jace in the middle of the battle, and is surprised when she sees a star-shaped scar on his shoulder. She nearly immediately gives her life for him causing him to question her change of heart.
     When Clary is kidnapped by one of Valentine's demons, Jace follows. Valentine declares he knows Jace joined the fight against him because of his not-quite-brotherly feelings for Clary, revealing that he knows the fear demon took her form at their first encounter. In return Jace tells Valentine that their second encounter ended with the demon's death in the form of Valentine himself. Jace gets Clary's stele to her, allowing her to blow the ship apart at the seams and end the battle.
     Clary falls into the river, to be plucked out by nixies sent by the Faery queen. They return to shore where dawn is quickly coming. Simon discovers that Jace's blood allows him to survive the daylight, unlike his fellow vampires, and life returns to some semblance of normal. Luke and Clary discuss his feelings for her mother, and Clary convinces Luke that it's beyond time to reveal those feelings to Jocelyn, despite her comatose state. She follows a similar path with Jace, but before she can tell him, Jace says he will only love her like a brother, breaking her heart. Befoer she can process the hurt, however, one of Clary's mother's companions from Idris says she knows how to wake Jocelyn.
     Throughout the battles and tangled love connections, Clary Fray learns to deal with her new-found family, especially the strange feelings she has for her brother. Her story is one of self-discovery and learning to take control of her own life, she fights for what she believes in and uses what power she has discovered to care for those who she loves. Clary is a role model for any young woman to take as an example; though her relationship with Jace is questionable, there are hints of life not being quite as it seems. Clare's City of Ashes is a vivid read and plays into the supernatural genre well. An ideal audience are high school aged readers, like the main characters, however any lover of supernatural fiction will find something enjoyable in the telling.

Untamed

Untamed by Kristin and P.C. Cast, 2008 St. Martin's

     Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird's friends have lost all faith in her, but she has determined to talk to them, to renew and strengthen their relationship. Aphrodite reappears re-Marked and joins the friends at lunch, but before a confrontation can ensue the famous archer fledgling  James Stark arrives. Zoey meets Aphrodite and Stevie Rae after lunch and learns that Stevie Rae is much as she was before her death; the only difference is an aversion to sunlight. The two also reveal that Aphrodite's mark is fake, she is human but retains her visions.
     When she goes to speak with them, Erin, Shaunee, Damien, and Damien's boyfriend (and a new member of their group) Jack, tell Zoey they felt betrayed when she shared Stevie Rae with Aphrodite rather than her friends. When she explains they make up and cast a circle to find out why everything has happened. Nyx explains Stevie Rae and Aphrodite, then warns the group that Dark events have been set in motion.
     The friends, the "nerd herd" rushes to a Council meeting where they find Shekinah, the High Priestess of all vampyres, has arrived to revoke Neferet's declaration of war on humans. Erik has returned to take over Professor Nolan's position as drama teacher, to Zoey's dismay. On her return to the dorm, Zoey sees Stark practicing with his bow and learns his gift is that he never misses a target, but his body rejects the Change and he dies in her arms.
     Zoey and her friends visit a local cat shelter, run by the nuns of the Benedictine Abbey, as a community activity for the Dark Sons and Daughters. The leader, Sister Mary Angela, startles Zoey with the difference between her beliefs and those of her stepfather. On the way back to the House of Night they encounter Heath, Zoey's ex-boyfriend, he says he's given up loving her because it hurt too much. Back at the House of Night Zoey is late for drama with Professor Erik Night, her former boyfriend. He casts her as Desdemona to his Othello, giving her a chance to explain her feelings, but storms off as the bell rings.
     After class Zoey is met by Darius, a Sons of Erebus (Nyx's consort) Warrior, and taken to Aphrodite. She has been having visions of Sylvia Redbird, Zoey's grandmother, and gives Zoey a poem. Sylvia and Zoey work out that the poem is an ancient Cherokee prophecy predicting the rise of Kalona, a fallen angel. Sylvia warns Zoey and her friends of Raven Mockers: half-human, half-raven offspring of Kalona and human women he violated, and Zoey requests that she come to the House of Night for protection.
     On her way to a Council meeting Zoey is attacked by a Raven Mocker and escapes Aphrodite's vision of her death by calling Damien who sends Air to her rescue. She overhears a conversation between Shekinah and Neferet; Neferet blames all the troubles she's faced on Zoey. After Neferet has gone, Zoey explains about the cat shelter and asks for a place for her grandmother. She then finds Erik and explains the situation  he encountered that caused him to break up with her.
     Sylvia Redbird arrives and stays in Stevie Rae and Zoey's room, they discuss what to do about the evil that is coming, but halfway through discover a Raven Mocker listening at the window. Shekinah asks Zoey to perform a cleansing ritual, and comes to tell her Sylvia has been in a car crash. Zoey and friends rush to the hospital and fearing the Raven Mockers caused Sylvia's accident ask to have Sister Mary Angela guard her.
     Zoey performs the ritual and tries to introduce the red fledglings, but Neferet brings undead Stark and tries to frame Zoey. Stark shoots Stevie Rae, nearly killing her, and her blood brings to life Kalona. Neferet kills Shekinah and the 'nerd herd' escapes to the underground tunnels where the red fledglings stayed. The dangerous headmistress is revealed as the evil witch who brings Kalona back from his imprisonment in the earth, heralding a new era at the Tulsa House of Night.
     The friends have found each other again, but have lost their safe haven with their escape from Neferet's dark handhold over the school. Stevie Rae's rediscovery of humanity and near death take their toll on Zoey's growing leadership; she begins to question who she has become, but turns to Nyx and her loving guidance. Zoey is still trying to figure out where her life is going and how to deal with the gifts she has been blessed with. The challenge Neferet poses is devastating, yet she is a believable character as she struggles with the problems rising from Shekinah's death and her friends' banishment. Like the rest of the series, Untamed is directed toward older school-aged readers.

Chosen

Chosen by Kristin and P.C. Cast, 2008 St. Martin's

     On her seventeenth birthday, Zoey Redbird resolves to break up with Heath, but after the crucifixion of Patricia Nolan, one of the House of Night professors, Neferet has tightened security. It appears the People of the Faith have killed Professor Nolan and all vampyres are in danger. She sneaks out to end the relationship with Heath, and fails, but on the way back Zoey and Aphrodite help Stevie Rae into Aphrodite's parents' house where she can stay until they figure out a way to save her.
     Back at House of Night, Zoey must replace Stevie Rae in the Dark Sons and Daughters, she unhappily chooses Aphrodite for her new affinity with Earth. She makes plans to cast a circle to heal Stevie Rae, but her love life complicates everything.
     Zoey's relationship with Erik becomes strained because of the lies she tells to hide Loren Blake's seduction, and her imprint with Heath. The night of Zoey's first Dark Daughters and Sons ceremony with Aphrodite in Stevie Rae's place Erik makes the Change into full vampyre and Loren consummates his relationship with Zoey, breaking the imprint with Heath. Erik walks in on Loren and Zoey and breaks up with her. Then, on her way to meet with Shaunee, Erin, Damien and Aphrodite for the ceremony to heal Stevie Rae, Zoey sees Loren talking to Neferet explaining he had seduced Zoey to distance her from her friends. He professes his love for Neferet, Zoey is startled and shocked.
     Zoey is late for meeting and Stevie Rae arrives before she can explain why they're meeting. Erin, Shaunee, and Damien feel betrayed, but agree to cast the circle and help Stevie Rae. During the casting Stevie Rae becomes jealous of Aphrodite's new place and attacks her. The two imprint and Stevie Rae becomes the first full red vampyre. Aphrodite discovers her Mark is gone: she is human again! Aphrodite and Stevie Rae leave the House of Night through a secret entrance.
     Zoey tries to explain to Erin, Shaunee, and Damien, finally getting them to listen until Erik appears and reveals her infidelity and relationship with Loren Blake. Her friends no longer believe her and Zoey is left alone when spasms of pain signal the end of her imprint with Loren as he died. Neferet uses his death as an excuse to declare war on the humans, Zoey sees that she has gone crazy and confronts Neferet in front of the Council.
     Readers follow Zoey through the difficult and troubling times that she faces as a vampyre fledgling. Her troubles are similar to those of everyday high schoolers: balancing romantic and platonic relationships, losing and creating friendships, and feeling alienated. This third novel goes further into Zoey's development and self-realization, going further into her character and what makes her Zoey Redbird.

Evernight

Evernight by Claudia Gray, 2008 Harper Collins

     At an academy set aside to assimilate Vampires into the mainstream world, Bianca is a rare creation--the child of two Vampires. She has lived her life knowing that one day she will join her parents in their undead lifestyle. When she meets Lucas Ross, a fellow student, something new starts to grow. Their new romance is challenged by the introduction of humans to the Evernight Academy.
     Tensions rise when humans, alongside the Vampires, begin to notice something is wrong at Evernight. When wraiths make an appearance at a school dance, seeming to attack Bianca and her human friends, the school's Vampire population goes on the attack. Within a few weeks Bianca and Lucas' relationship becomes taboo and Lucas's family comes for an unwelcome visit.
     Lucas's family is part of the Black Hand--an organization of militant vampire hunters--and Lucas was placed at Evernight to help infiltrate the stronghold. But his love for Bianca keeps him from revealing her fate to his family. When he leaves Evernight, Lucas pledges his love to Bianca, promising to come back for her.
     This supernatural love story follows the same lines as Romeo and Juliet: lovers from two feuding entities who will challenge all obstacles to be together. Where the story diverges from Shakespeare's work is in Bianca and Lucas's hope that they will be together even when present circumstances seem hopeless. Rather than run away and end up killing themselves, Lucas goes back to his family and Bianca stays with her family.
     There are a few mature scenes, and the occasional bout of foul language, but the main negative sentiment is one of race (vampire vs human vs wraith) and of class. This is Bianca's journey to discover who she is in light of Lucas's love and to either accept or create an ideology for her life. Evernight is the first of a series dealing with the Evernight Academy.