★★★★★—Every Day by David Levithan

"Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.

There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day." (Goodreads) (Read in July, 2014)

My Review

★★★★★

I loved it. I really did. It's not often that I love books that don't have happy endings, but you know, that's the way this one had to be. I'm heartbroken, but I understand why.

Well written. Really tugged on the heartstrings. I was easily attached to the characters. Beautifully done.

★★★★★—City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett

A densely atmospheric and intrigue-filled fantasy novel of living spies, dead gods, buried histories, and a mysterious, ever-changing city-from one of America's most acclaimed young SF writers.

Years ago, the city of Bulikov wielded the powers of the Gods to conquer the world. But after its divine protectors were mysteriously killed, the conqueror has become the conquered; the city's proud history has been erased and censored, progress has left it behind, and it is just another colonial outpost of the world's new geopolitical power. Into this musty, backward city steps Shara Thivani. Officially, the quiet mousy woman is just another lowly diplomat sent by Bulikov's oppressors. Unofficially, Shara is one of her country's most accomplished spymasters-dispatched to investigate the brutal murder of a seemingly harmless historian. As Shara pursues the mystery through the ever-shifting physical and political geography of the city, she begins to suspect that the beings who once protected Bulikov may not be as dead as they seem-and that her own abilities might be touched by the divine as well." (Goodreads)

My Review

★★★★★

This book was fantastic. Fantastic. It's hard to put my feelings into words, but this book was fantastic.

First off, the main character, Shara 'Thivani'. She is wonderful. She's not described as "womanly". She is an academic and an excellent spy. She wears glasses, and has darker skin. She is a refreshing change to the women of fiction, and at times I forgot this book was written by a man. Shara is fierce and proud, but not too proud to ask for help. It's a good trait that occasionally gets her in trouble—she trusts people nearly to a fault. She is overcurious. I love Shara. She is truly the hero of this book.

However, Sigrud. SIGRUD. Sigrud is just... I want a "secretary" like Sigrud. I love his snarky one-liners and his attitude, and his unabashedness. In this case, his backstory wasn't shoved down my throat to make me pity him. His backstory made me appreciate who he is more. He refuses to die and astounds and infuriates the doctors. (And I predicted something about him too.) Just... Sigrud. Sigrud.

And Vo. Vohannes. (I'm pronouncing it like Vo-Hahn in my head, not Vo-Han-Nez, because I was thinking Johannes Gutenberg—whatever) I liked Vo. He's a bit of a slut, but you know what, that's okay. His heart is clearly in the right place. He couldn't have betrayed Shara in Bulikov. Never. And I haven't been in disbelief about a character's fate before Vo's. I had hope for the man.

Fuck you, Vinya.

And you go, Mulaghesh. Four for you, Mulaghesh.

All in all, this book was very well written. Admittedly, it took me a little while to get into the story because I was thrown into the world without a clue as to who the Divinities were and how the Continent and Saypur were split up. But I figured it out as I went, which I feel was advantageous to telling the story of the City of Stairs. I loved the mythology once I figured out who was who and what was what and who killed whom. I loved that the conflicts felt so... so human.

I also was a fan of the religious aspects. The followers of Kolkan, I (sort of) hate to say it, remind me a lot of religious extremists—my first thought was Christians, if I'm going to be completely honest. And Bennett's tone in the book seemed disdainful of religion. He encourages questioning it, something that I have always been taught. "Did god(s) create man, or did man create god(s)?" Bennett's answer is that both are true. Man needs god(s), and god(s) need man. It is a neverending circle.

I believe this climbed the list to be my favorite book. I mean it. It's a fantastic read and anyone who picks it up and is a fan of this genre crisscrossing (sic-fi, fantasy, spy, mystery) will enjoy it. Maybe not as much as I did, but they'll definitely like it.

★★★—The Last Song by Eva Wiseman

"Spain had been one of the world’s most tolerant societies for eight hundred years, but that way of life was wiped out by the Inquisition. Isabel’s family feels safe from the terrors, torture, and burnings. After all, her father is a respected physician in the court of Ferdinand and Isabella. Isabel was raised as a Catholic and doesn’t know that her family’s Jewish roots may be a death sentence. When her father is arrested by Torquemada, the Grand Inquisitor, she makes a desperate plan to save his life – and her own.

Once again, master storyteller Eva Wiseman brings history to life in this riveting and tragic novel." (Goodreads)

My Review

★★★

The writing was very good, and the premise was interesting. I liked the idea of a girl discovering that she had Jewish heritage at the height of the Spanish Inquisition. The only thing that I feel was "off" about it is the pacing. I can't quite put my finger on why, but the pacing was weird. Nonetheless, I couldn't stop reading it because I was excited to know what was about to happen next. Well done.

★★—The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson

"A heart-stopping story of love, death, technology, and art set amid the tropics of a futuristic Brazil.

The lush city of Palmares Três shimmers with tech and tradition, with screaming gossip casters and practiced politicians. In the midst of this vibrant metropolis, June Costa creates art that’s sure to make her legendary. But her dreams of fame become something more when she meets Enki, the bold new Summer King. The whole city falls in love with him (including June’s best friend, Gil). But June sees more to Enki than amber eyes and a lethal samba. She sees a fellow artist.

Together, June and Enki will stage explosive, dramatic projects that Palmares Três will never forget. They will add fuel to a growing rebellion against the government’s strict limits on new tech. And June will fall deeply, unfortunately in love with Enki. Because like all Summer Kings before him, Enki is destined to die.

Pulsing with the beat of futuristic Brazil, burning with the passions of its characters, and overflowing with ideas, this fiery novel will leave you eager for more from Alaya Dawn Johnson." (Goodreads) (Read in July, 2014)

My Review

★★

Great concept. Poorly executed. Awkward at times, uncomfortable to read. Very confusing and misleading sometimes. I kept having to flip back pages. I heard Alaya Johnson speak about it at BookCon, which is why I was excited about it, but it fell short of my expectations.

★★★★—Matched by Ally Condie

"Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow." (Goodreads)

My Review

★★★★

Okay. I started this a while ago, and pretty much dropped it. Not because it wasn't interesting or well written, but because of the love triangle plot that's just getting old to me. But, since I can't stand leaving books unfinished, I picked it up again.

And I'm glad I did.

I like how the love triangle doesn't turn to bitterness, or at least not an overwhelming, character-altering bitterness *coughIgniteMecough*. I like Cassia. I like Ky. I like Xander. And now I'm emotionally invested, so I have to find Crossed somewhere.

Great. Another book to crowd my shelves. It's a good problem to have, in my opinion.