Graceling
by Kristen Cashore

Summary

Katsa is Graced with a special ability to kill.  As a result, she’s used as a weapon by her King, a role that she does not want or enjoy.  Eventually Katsa decides she will no longer be a pawn in a battle she doesn’t agree with, and begins to disobey the King’s orders.  Then, on an unsanctioned mission she discovers a mysterious stranger in the night, and worries that by leaving him alive, she’s left herself in danger.  But when this stranger shows up in her life again, they embark on a perilous mission in an effort to stop the greatest evil the 7 kingdoms have seen yet.

Review

Filled with interesting and original characters, and based on a very unique concept, Graceling is the first book in what looks to be an exciting fantasy series.  Katsa is a strong heroine who struggles with her anger, but learns over the course of the novel to not let it form her decisions. She’s also strong in the literal sense. Her Grace allows her to kick some major butt, yet she always tries to avoid harming others unjustly. Romance takes a back seat to plot, which is a refreshing change in the YA fantasy genre. There’s definitely some romance in Graceling, but none of the typical teen angst and endless swooning. One of the things I loved most about Graceling is that it was never predictable. Each time I thought I knew what was going to happen next, something completely different occurred. And while the story felt complete at the end of this novel, the author has set up the next volume beautifully – I’m not upset because I was left with a cliffhanger, and yet I can’t wait to read more.

Verdict

I absolutely loved Graceling! The story sucked me right in, and I want to spend more time with all these characters. I’m very much looking forward to reading Fire, the next installment in the series.

*Graceling is book #8 for the 2010 YA Reading Challenge.

Our August Book Club selections is Sunday’s at Tiffany’s by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet. I’ve been a fan of James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series for some time now, so I thought it was about time I checked out his adult books to see how they compare.

Here’s a bit about the book from Amazon:

Jane Margaux is a lonely little girl. Her mother, a powerful Broadway producer, makes time for her only once a week, for their Sunday trip to admire jewelry at Tiffany’s. Jane has only one friend: a handsome, comforting, funny man named Michael. He’s perfect. But only she can see him. Michael can’t stay forever, though. On Jane’s ninth birthday he leaves, promising her that she’ll soon forget him. Years later, in her thirties, Jane is just as alone as she was as a child. And despite her own success as a playwright, she is even more trapped by her overbearing mother. Then she meets someone-a handsome, comforting, funny man. He’s perfect. His name is Michael . . .

Imagine meeting your imaginary friend in real life! Sounds like a fun read. I look forward to discussing it with my fellow book lovers.

Remember, you don’t have to have read the book this month to join in the discussion (as long as you’ve read it at some point)!  Check back during the last week of August for the discussion post.

They’re Watching
by Gregg Hurwitz

Summary
Patrick Davis attended UCLA with one dream in mind. Years later he thought that dream had finally come true when he sold his screenplay to Summit Pictures and production of the movie began with rising star Keith Connor in the lead role. Only to see it all unravel before his eyes. He gets fired from the movie and blacklisted in Hollywood for allegedly assaulting Connor. And, as a result of all the time he’s spent trying to make the movie a reality, his marriage to his college sweetheart, Ariana, is falling apart. But that’s just the beginning. One morning he finds a DVD hidden in the Entertainment section of his morning paper and he’s shocked to find out it’s a video of himself in his house following his daily routine. And then more DVDs arrive and he knows… They’re watching. And then they want him to do something for them and he won’t like the consequences if he doesn’t. Soon it becomes a race for Patrick to find out who is behind the DVDs and why before his life is changed in ways he won’t be able to escape.

Review
I was excited when I returned home from a recent trip to find this book waiting for me. I’ve been looking forward to checking it out (literally, I got it from the library!) for quite some time. It wasn’t quite as good as I was hoping but, overall, I did enjoy it. In fact, some parts were so good I hated putting the book down. Unfortunately, other parts dragged so much I actually skimmed a few chapters so that I wouldn’t just give up on it entirely. It’s possible others wouldn’t find those sections nearly as lacking as I did, especially since I read a review in which that section was described as “really fantastic.” Perhaps I’m just not as into the suspense and thriller aspects as others? At any given moment, the reader knows only what Patrick Davis knows about what is happening. And I suppose that works to leave us feeling just as confused and helpless and frustrated as Patrick. Except unlike Patrick, I’m not a character in a book being forced to endure something. I can walk away when it annoys me too much and I almost did. Luckily, once everything was revealed, I got back into it and quick. The plot is almost too big to be contained. As in, I’m not sure I buy that Patrick wouldn’t be looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life given the lengths we see his adversaries go earlier in the book. So the ending is doesn’t quite live up to the rest of the story but it is satisfactory and wraps everything up so you aren’t left wondering what just happened.

Verdict
I picked up this book based on the recommendation from someone who had read an advanced review. She described it as “quintessential summer reading fare.” Well, I didn’t love it nearly as much as she did but I can agree that is a perfect beach (or lying out by the pool pretending it’s the beach) book. You may or may not find sections of the book as slow as I did but you’ll definitely have moments where you can’t wait to turn the page and find out what happens next.

I’ve decided I can’t really review these books in series’ that I’ve been reading for a long time. I mean really, it’s book 16 – at this point either you know the characters and writing style and are a fan or you’re not. But I know we have a number of Plum fans out there, and there were some things that occurred in this volume that I want to discuss. So, rather than a review, let’s talk about the latest Stephanie Plum adventure, Sizzling Sixteen.

*Caution, this discussion will contain spoilers!

First of all… is anyone else getting frustrated with the fact that 16 books in, Stephanie hasn’t really improved much as a bounty hunter?? I know Morelli actually said that Steph had gotten much better at her job, but after I had spent a few chapters being really annoyed by her and Lula’s stupidity I was kinda surprised to read that!  Honestly, when Steph and Lula had Chopper  in the backseat of Lula’s car and then they went into the store for snacks, I was literally yelling at my book. “He’s going to get away. He’s going to steal your car! ARGH!” Surprisingly, he didn’t steal the car, but of course he got away.

On the other hand… how many of you were amazed at Steph, Lula and Connie’s ability to plan and execute a robbery?!? I don’t know if it’s just because they added Connie to the mix and she’s the key, but personally I think those girls are far better suited for a life of Robin-Hood style crime than they ever have been for bond enforcement! Why do you think they were so successful with the robberies, when they mess up all their captures?

Now, the men in Steph’s life… Morelli or Ranger? Ranger or Morelli? I’ve been far more accepting than most when it comes to the back-and-forth thing that’s been going on for so long with Morelli and Ranger, but this book finally marked the point where even I grew tired of it. It’s time for Steph and Ranger to make an honest attempt of it. I get that Morelli is probably her long term guy, but she’ll never know for sure until she’s decided on Ranger one way or the other.  I would really like to see her and Ranger together for AT LEAST two or three books. I’m not stuck on one guy or the other, I love them both and totally get Steph’s dilemma, but it’s getting tired and it’s time to shake things up a bit.

For that matter… I’d also like to see Morelli date someone else for a while. Someone new, who has NO connection to Stephanie whatsoever. In my mind this would be the relationship that lets Morelli (and Steph) decide once and for all if Steph is the girl he wants to settle down with – despite her job and social circle.  And while we’re on the subject, I actually wouldn’t mind seeing Steph date someone entirely new for a change either. Just to add some spice. Because if Stephanie is such a catch that she has the two hottest guys in Trenton drooling over her, then surely she could snag someone else who does want the same things she wants. Right?

And lastly, the bonds office… Were you excited at the possibility of an employment change? Because I was freakin’ ecstatic when the bonds office blew up! I was giddy with the prospect of change that could have resulted from this development. I thought, “Here it is! The small shift that will allow for interesting new stories! Squee!” Of course, at that point I was thinking that Steph & co. would have to get a new job, or that perhaps the four of them would go into business together as partners. Thus allowing Steph to have more involvement in the business end of things, and possibly even make some changes along the way. But then everything was wrapped up in a nice little bow of exactly-as-it-was-before. Lula can get Vinnie back with Lucille and the business will resume exactly as we know it.  *Sigh*

This series is starting to feel a little bit like The Simpson’s for the fact that nothing ever changes. I think I could fall in love all over again if they were to change things up a bit. Steph would still be hilarious and awesome if she were in any number of jobs, and it would be more realistic if she grew up a little. I mean she’s in her 30’s and still never has groceries? C’mon!

So fellow book (and Plum) lovers, what would you like to see happen in future Stephanie Plum books? How would you change things? Or would you prefer to see things stay the same? Let’s talk!