The Space Between
by Brenna Yovanoff

Summary
Daphne, the daughter of Lucifer and Lilith has spent her life in a city made of steel. Unwilling to indulge in the common behaviour of her sisters, she has forgone the pleasures of earth for an eternity of nothingness in Pandemonium. But when Obie – the one person who breaks up the monotony of her existence – goes missing, Daphne sets aside her fears and ventures out into the world to find him. The only clue she has is Truman, the human boy she met when Obie saved him from eternal damnation in Pandemonium. With Truman’s help, she struggles to rescue the one person that matters most before it’s too late. In the process, Daphne discovers her true power and learns that life is full of the unexpected and people can be saved in more ways than one.

Review
The Space Between is a dark and haunting tale, written in wonderfully descriptive prose so that even the bleakest scenery appears vivid and harshly beautiful.  The story is broken up into three parts: Hell, Earth and Heaven. As is to be expected, Pandemonium (hell) is very bleak and as a result the story doesn’t fully come to life until Daphne ventures to earth. Yovanoff has an interesting take on good and evil, breaking out of the norm to allow angels to be harsh and demons to show kindness. Consequently, the characters in The Space Between are unique and original. And it was very refreshing to read a YA fantasy novel with NO love triangle!  The light romance that was in the story was subtle and believable. My one issue with The Space between was the shift between 1^st person and 3^rd person narrative in an attempt to show both Truman and Daphne’s points of view. It was too subtle to be effective and was often confusing. The final battle was somewhat anti-climatic, but the story continues after the final showdown, and I very much enjoyed the unexpected ending.

Verdict
A beautifully written and fresh take on the standard YA fantasy fare, The Space Between is both eerie and yet heart-warming at the same time.

*I received this book for review from the Publisher.

Inheritance (Inheritance Cycle #4)
by Christopher Paolini

Summary
After the siege of Feinster, Eragon and Saphira continue to travel across Alagaësia with the Varden in an attempt to take control of the land and thwart Galbatorix’s supporters. The further they venture, the more they fear their enemy is too powerful to be defeated.  Eragon trains as hard as he can in hopes of becoming a strong enough fighter to defeat the all powerful Galbatorix, but nothing he does seems to be enough. When unexpected allies join their side, the Varden’s hopes rise, but will it be enough to bring down the most powerful magician in the land? Or will Eragon and the Varden be forced to admit defeat and live under Galbatorix’ rule?

Review
If you’ve come this far in the series then you’re probably already a fan of Paolini’s remarkable characters in the Inheritance series. I love each of the characters and would have a hard time picking my favourite (it’s Saphira). Each of the characters are complex individuals with both strengths and flaws, and their unwavering convictions make it hard to dislike even the most evil players. Rich background stories are woven throughout the four books and Inheritance is no exception, as we finally learn more about the Dragons history and the fall of the Riders.

While the books are sometimes criticized for being too long and drawn out, I for one don’t have a problem with how the story has progressed or its conclusion. While I must admit that Inheritance did drag a bit in the middle, I still enjoyed all the side adventures that brought Eragon and his friends to where they are today.

***SPOLIER IN THE NEXT PARAGRAPH***

For those of you expecting a big love scene, you may be disappointed… Eragon’s story has never been a romance, but a tale of growth, strength and overcoming obstacles against all odds. I think Paolini handled the Eragon/Arya situation perfectly in keeping with the true spirit of the novel.

Verdict
It was a long time coming, but Inheritance makes for a satisfactory conclusion to Eragon and Saphira’s story, while still leaving the door open for possible future Rider adventures. This fan is satisfied.

*I received this book for review from the Publisher.

Here’s my final list of books read in 2011. I did not even come close to my original goal of 75 books read. I realized part way through the year that I was woefully behind and lowered my goal to 50 books, but I didn’t reach that goal either. It was a difficult year on a personal level, and as a result I just wasn’t able to read as much. I’m hoping to get back on track this year, so I will aim to read at least 50 books in 2013.

Books are listed in the order they were read. An *e at the end of the title indicates that it was an e-book, books listed in bold were my favourites this year. Links are to reviews and discussions here on WAGB.

If there are any books on this list that you’d like to see reviewed or that you’d like to discuss, please leave  a note in the comments. We’re always happy to hear your thoughts and suggestions, and we always like to talk about books!

Reading List 2011

1.     He’s Just Not That Into You by Greg Behrnardt & Liz Tucco (Jan. 13)

2.     Electric Blue (Jane Kelly #2) by Nancy Bush (Jan. 16)

3.     Sucker Bet (Vegas Vampires #4) by Erin McCarthy (Jan. 21)

4.     The Duff by Kody Keplinger

5.     Sweet Spot (Bakery Sisters #2) by Susan Mallery (Jan. 27) *e

6.     The Death of Joan of Arc (Nicholas Flamel #4.5) by Michael Scott (Jan. 28) *e

7.     Up In Smoke (Silver Dragons, #2) by Katie MacAlister (Feb. 11) *e

8.     Gone (Gone #1) by Michael Grant (Feb. 22) *e

9.     Spinning by Michael Baron (Feb. 27)

10.  The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles #1) by Rick Riordan (Mar. 8 )

11.  Divine By Mistake (Partholon, #1) by P.C. Cast (Apr. 5) *e

12.  Subject Seven by James A. Moore (Apr. 22)

13.  Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven #5) by Brandon Mull (May 11)

14.  Eona (Eon #2) by Alison Goodman (June 29)

15.  The Lost Hero (Heroes of Olympus, #1) by Rick Riordan (July 15)

16.  Wolfsbane (Nighstade #2) by Andrea Cremer (July 28)

17.  Sisterhood Everlasting (SHotTP #5) by Ann Brashares (Aug 2)

18.  Smokin’ Seventeen (Plum #17) by Janet Evanovich (Aug 7)

19.  The Final Warning (Maximum Ride, #4) by James Patterson (Aug 10)

20.  Calling for Angels by Alex Smith (Aug 16) *e

21.  Marked (House of Night #1) by PC Cast (Aug 20) *e

22.  Betrayed (House of Night #2) by PC Cast (Aug 22) *e

23.  Death’s Excellent Vacation by Charlaine Harris & Various (Sept. 1) *e, library book

24.  If I Stay by Gayle Forman (Sept. 3) *e

25.  Where She Went by Gayle Forman (Sept. 4)

26.  Matched by Ally Condie (Sept.11)

27.  The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell (Sept. 18) *e

28.  The Summer of Permanent Wants by Jamieson Findlay (Oct. 11)

29.  The Dark City (Relic Master #1) by Catherine Fisher (Oct. 19)

30.  Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (Oct. 24) *e, library book

31.  The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (Nov. 7) *e, library book

32.  Crossed by Ally Condie (Nov. 15)

33.  Explosive Eighteen (Plum #18) by Janet Evanovich (Nov. 20)

34.  The Warlock (Nicholas Flamel #5) by Michael Scott (Dec. 7) *e

35.  Inheritance (Inheritance Cycle #4) by Christopher Paolini (Dec. 30)

Hey! Here’s a challenge I actually completed successfully. Yay me!

I had so much fun with the 2010 YA Reading Challenge, that I couldn’t wait to sign up for it again in 2011. This year, the 2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge was hosted by Jamie at For the Love of YA.

There are four levels to choose from in the YA Challenge:

1. The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.
2. The “Fun Size” YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.
3. The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.
4. The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.

Here are my 20 books:

1. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
2. Gone by Michael Grant
3. The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
4. Subject Seven by James A. Moore
5. Keys to the Demon Prison by Brandon Mull
6. Eona by Alison Goodman
7. The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
8. Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
9. The Final Warning by James Patterson
10. Marked by PC Cast
11. Betrayed by PC Cast
12. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
13. Where She Went by Gayle Forman
14. Matched by Ally Condie
15. The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell 
16. The Dark City by Catherine Fisher
17. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
18. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
19. Crossed by Ally Condie  
20. The Warlock by Michael Scott