"Scarlet" by Marissa Meyer

4.5 of 5 stars.

The Basics: Scarlet is the second book in the Lunar Chronicles series. The first novel is Cinder. This series is a play on fairy tales. At the end of Cinder we find out that Cinder is the "thought to be dead" Princess Selene. In Scarlet we are introduced to the metaphorical Little Red Riding Hood, who is named Scarlet Benoit in this book because of her hair color. Scarlet's grandmother is missing and she goes on a hunt finding her after the police have deemed her grandmother a runaway. In the process we meet Wolf, a mysterious young fighter whom Scarlet is weary of, but he volunteers to help look for Scarlet's grandmother.
As the search for Michelle Benoit continues, Scarlet learns that her grandmother has indeed been holding back secrets and Wolf certainly is what his name suggests.
As the story progresses, convict and runaway Cinder learns more about her past as Emperor Kai struggles to make a decision that will indeed bring Queen Levana great joy while bringing a feeling of defeat to the Earthen countries.

My Thoughts: ~Mild Spoilers Ahead~ I absolutely loved this book. The introduction of Thorne and Wolf were certainly welcomed. I also loved how Marissa Meyer intertwined the stories of Cinder and Scarlet as the book progressed. Scarlet is such a strong character and I love that she fights to figure out where her grand-mere is, and she's a quick thinker. The French influences in this novel are wonderful since we got the Asian influences in Cinder. The diversity within these novels is appreciated.
I hate Queen Levana, which is expected. She doesn't even fight fair. These beast-like creatures she is creating to have leverage over the Earthen civilizations is cruel. I hope Cinder learns how to use her abilities to overpower Levana. I can't believe Kai is going to marry her, but she left him no choice. I have hope that Cinder will live up to her full potential and destroy Levana.

~Remember, teachers read fun stuff too!

"For I Have Sinned" by Darynda Jones

4 of 5 stars.

The Basics: This novella follows book one in the Charley Davidson series. This is told from Jo Montgomery's perspective. She is dead and becomes one of Charley's clients. Jo seeks to figure out when and how she dies, not to mention she is pregnant. Of course Reyes shows up and we can't figure out why he keeps appearing until the the end of this very short novella.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this novella. I read it in one sitting after finishing First Grave on the Right. It was nice to get the dead's perspective on Charley's bright appearance as well as their thoughts on her as a grim reaper.
This is one criticism. I felt like the characterization of Reyes in this novella was kind of off. He spoke a lot and seemed a bit playful, though still mysterious. I thought that was kind of weird because he barely said anything in book one and his playful nature was not very apparent in the first book. Maybe this is a set up for how his character will change as the series goes on? We'll see.

~Remember, teachers read fun stuff too!

"First Grave on the Right" by Darynda Jones

5 of 5 stars.

The Basics: This novel follows Charlotte (Charley) Davidson. She is a private investigator, works with the APD (Albuquerque Police Department), and oh yeah, she is the grim reaper. Charley prides herself in being able to help her clients, many of which are among the nonliving. Souls tend to visit her as she is a bright light among the dead. They "cross" through her once they are ready to leave the plane of the living, sometimes Charley has to urge them along.
By the way, Charley is the only one that can see the dead so it becomes a bit awkward for those around her. This has caused a rift between her and her stepmother and sister, but her Uncle Bob (a cop who enlists Charley's assistance on many cases) and father have embraced her privileged abilities. Her supernatural talents come in handy after three lawyers are killed.   
In the midst of everything, Charley is seeking to discover who or what this black mist is that's been following her since she's been born. When she figures it out, things change for her.

My Thoughts: *Spoilers Ahead* OMG!!!! I'm just so in love with this book. I'm a married woman but I soooo have a crush on Charley. She is strong, confident and witty. It is so awesome. Where has my life been without this book?!?!
Anyway, the whole premise of this book was great. I have never really been into supernatural type books, but I gave this novel a chance and I'm happy for that. Charley handles her job with such wittiness. She's dedicated but still sympathetic to the dead who are grappling with the fact that they are indeed dead. I like that Darynda Jones was able to incorporate what we would really think it would be like for dead people to want to be around those they left behind, and wanting to tell your loved one that one last thing before you move on into the other world, whatever that may be. Charley handled that perfectly.
Onto the most intriguing aspect of this novel, Reyes. OMG! He is like a dream, the only issue is that he's the son of Satan. Charley doesn't know that until the end of the novel right before getting intimate with him. He is mysterious and seemingly evil, but has been waiting, watching and protecting Charley since she was born.
I am so grateful for the character of Reyes. He adds a sense of mystery that is the opposite of Charley since her character's abilities are pretty transparent to the reader. When Reyes is thrown into the mix there is a sense of suspense and we know something is going to happen.
At the end of the book, Reyes' physical body disappears so I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes.
By the way, Officer Taft's sister was such a hilarious character :) She was funny but it was also touching towards the end when she crosses.

~Remember, teachers read fun stuff too!

"The Heir" by Kiera Cass

4 of 5 stars.

The Basics: The Heir picks up 20 years after The One. King Maxon and Queen America now have four children, the oldest (by a few minutes) being Eadlyn. The rules have changed so that the first-born female heir may become queen and not have to be married off to another country's male heir. So, Princess Eadlyn has the world on her shoulders. She is preparing to become Queen and also becomes entangled in the first ever female-run Selection. The only issue is that Eadlyn does not want to participate and only does so to appease her parents as they seek to find a resolution to the unrest in their country since the abolishing of the caste system.
Eadlyn has a few things working against her though. She is rather distant emotionally, she has not been able to connect with her patrons therefor creating a further rift in the country, and she sees marriage as a distant entity choosing to focus only on her job. She'll learn that she can have love and still be a monarch once tragedy strikes at the end of the novel.

My Thoughts: I have enjoyed the Selection series so far. America is a character I could certainly relate to, but the shift in perspective was only right since America's story ended happily ever after. Now, Eadlyn. I'm not sure what to make of her. I want to like her because she is a feminist, but to a fault. She doesn't realize that her position as next in line to inherit the throne has her on a power trip. She is a bit snobby, self-centered and can't seem too look outside of her position as a princess.
I like that her twin brother, Ahren, is the exact opposite. He is everything that Eadlyn is not. He is a needed character to balance Eadlyn's sour personality.
Before the Selection begins Eadlyn is already thinking of ways to distance herself from these men and make them dislike her so much that they would want to leave.
Either way, as the Selection continues it is obvious that some of the men in the story will become important in the development of the next book, by the way the book ended there will certainly be another book.
Erik and Henri. I'm pushing for Erick here. I know he is a minor part of the Selection but it is obvious that Eadlyn feels something for him but is scared to seek it out because he doesn't fit into the process (of actually picking a Selected). He seems genuine though and I like that about him. Henri also seems to have a spot in Eadlyn's heart but it seems they will end up just being friends.
Kile is also another important aspect in this Selection. Though he is the child of Marlee and has grown up with Eadlyn, I think he has a fair shot at softening her heart. I was rooting for him at first but there is something about Erik that makes me want him to come out as the victor.
I won't even talk about the end of the book, you have to read it to see how crazy it is. I will say this though, doesn't the relationship between Ahren and Eadlyn seem a bit incestuous?  Also, something about Camille isn't right.
I am certainly looking forward to the next book in this series!

Remember, teachers read fun stuff too!