“To Infinity then.”  Bubba, p. 269.

Review of 

Infinity: Chronicles of Nick

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

I say I control my destiny and my life. No, nothing controls me. Ever. 

Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is renowned. But his whole world is suddenly turned upside down on the night his best friends try to kill him. 

Saved by a mysterious warrior, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters - immortal vampire-slayers who risk everything to save humanity - and he quickly learns that the human worls is only a veil for a much larger and more dangerous one that’s filled with all kinds of evil. Nick knows he’s in real danger and he soon has a lot more to deal with than high school - all without getting grounded, suspended ... or killed. 

(Backcover text.)

Okay, so this is The Book to read when you’re down. It is so much fun and a thrilling ride that you will forget that thing you were depressed about before. I read it in a day, which is a record even for me. There are so many oneliners in this book, that I just want to write down and cover my walls with. Or, better yet, freak out some friends who have no idea what the book is about. 

The awesomeness aside, there is depth in this book. The characters have morals - however deep they may be - and they have things they believe in. I love the prologue, it’s so differently written from the rest, that it stands out and it’s touching, really. You gotta forgive me, but Nick’s words there, they touched me. I’m a sap like that. AND it proves that this book is beyond moronic zombie-mashing. Not that zombie-mashing isn’t good. 

So, the main character is Nick Gautier - gods, I love his last name. He’s the very definition of streetwise and sarcastic, witty, whatever you want to define it as. He is absolutely awesome and so much fun to read! The way he tells the story is capturing and he has this inner voice that differs from what I’ve read elsewhere. He has his faults too, that he sometimes really badmouths people or that he might not always think what he does. Or that he isn’t exactly as strong as he might want to be, but he comes to terms with that and gods, he has guts! 

He has depth in him, that really comes out at points, when he is faced with a ground-shattering problem. The sarcasm, wittiness etc. aside, he actually has something really smart to say at times and proves a point. Plus, his caring for his mother is possible the best thing I’ve ever read. Not many books out there have this kind of mother-son relationship.

I could go on and on about him, but let me say that there’s way more to him that we are shown here. 

Kenyon has written an awesome cast of characters, that I could talk about for hours. But. 

Nick’s mom, is the toughest cookie ever. She has backbone, that Nick has obviously inherited and she does what she has to do, to provide her son a home and food. She tries to her best and their relationship is particularly hilarious to read. And I bet she has an especially interesting backstory. Simply, she’s the best mother that I have read in books.

Big Bubba Burdette and Mark. My friend read this book first, as she bought it for me from London, and she was gushing on and on about these two. So for her sake, I’m telling you, they are funniest guys ever - feels like I’ve said that before.. They have these rules and way of doing things and to Nick, they seem crazy at points. But the best part is, they aren’t, that they really know what they are talking about. You could say they are the best at what they do, but they aren’t perfect, or the best. They just do it with this attitude that makes you believe it so. 

Okay, so there are like a dozen of other characters. 

There’s Nekoda Kennedy, who somewhat plays the part of the love interest and has probably one of the coolest names ever. We are not told much about her, but she seems true enough, even if she is clearly hiding something.. She’s intriguing and because she has little “screening time” it’s hard to say anything else about her. Well, the way Nick described her was a little ugh, but I guess that’s what you could expect from young teenaged boy. Still, I’d lay it down a little. 

Then there’s Kyrian Hunter and Acheron Parthenopaeus, another pair that have the most brilliant names ever and the attitudes. We are not told much about them etiher, but as the Chronicles of Nick is supposed to be tied with another series, I suppose I’m just not up to speed. Still, they’re Dark-Hunters who kick ass and are a joy to read. 

Madaug St. James is another fellow with the best name ever and quite possible the only guy who does not kick ass constantly. He’s still just as much a part of the game as the others and you couldn’t quite get him until some way into the book. And hey, he learns a lesson and has this geek thing going on. Oh yeah, this guy is a good one. 

Two characters that make a short or a shorter appearance are a guy named Caleb, who seems to have the same attitude as Nick, but with a darker side and a chip on his shoulder. He has depth too, but he’s one of the characters that seem to be constantly hiding something, even if they’re telling secrets. 

The Simi. This girl here is mysterious, or at least to other characters, as the reader is told a little more about her. She’s a delicious thing and provides a female character that is just as crazy as the guys and kicks ass just as much. Also, she has many of the best lines in the book and I can’t wait to freak some friends out by quoting her. 

Now, the characters are absolutely of the mind-blowing variety and frankly, so is the plot. It has these curves and bends that you can’t see beforehand. You’re just enjoying the ride, thrilled with the characters, when the plot literally creeps out from behind and whacks you on the head. And this is said as a good thing, believe me. There are moments when you think you know what is going on and then you don’t know what is going on, because the plot just dumped something else on you. No, the book isn’t confusing, it’s filled with surprises. And Kenyon writes them with such a talent and ease, that you’ve read the book before you even realise it. Like I said, it surprises you. The writing just flows on the pages and I at least swallowed it up like a madman. 

Kenyon really knows her characters and knows exactly where she wants to take you with the story, so the story doesn’t have a quiet moment. 

Calming down a little, I’ve come to realise that there are some things that have been used by other writers before, like zombies for example (don’t want to spoil you too much) but not like this. There is nothing in here, that I’ve seen other writers do. And I have a feeling, that if anyone else but Kenyon were to try writing them out, they wouldn’t be able to.

What I think is the best part, is that there’s always somebody hiding something, so that you have to, in a way, connect the dots, thinking, hey, isn’t that what he said a while ago? And I bet there are a lot of answers in her Dark Hunters-series, which I unfortunately haven’t read. And the second book, probably too. 

What can I say? This book is a good read, really fun and exciting. It isn’t too gory, I know this, because Resident Evil still haunts me sometimes, so no fear of that. And all that action that might be too gory, is (nearly) put into shadow, thanks to Nick’s incredible inner monologue. 

The only problem this book has is that it ends. It’s been so long for me since I actually hated a book because it ended, or waited anxiously for the next one. So this was awesome! If you’re wondering, that book series was The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. But that aside, I shall end this review with three things:

A bow and a thank you to Sherrilyn Kenyon. 

A shout to everyone to read this book!

And a terrible need to re-read it again. Which I will be doing now. 

How Far Can You Count?

Review of 

I am Number Four

by Pittacus Lore

John Smith is not your average teenager. 

He regularly moves from small town to small town. He changes his name and identity. He does not put down roots. He cannot tell anyone who or what he really is. If he stops moving, those who hunt him will find and kill him. 

But you can’t run for ever. 

So when he stops in Paradise, Ohio, John decides to try and settle down. To fit in. And for the first time he makes some real friends. People he cares about - and who care about him. Never in John’s short life has there been space for friendship, or even love. 

But it’s a just a matter of time before John’s secret is revealed. 

He was once one of nine. Three of them have been killed.

John is Number Four. He knows that he is next...

(Backcover text)

The book starts right away, with action that sucks you in. It was nearly impossible to put it down and the writers create images straight into your mind, with the way they’re writing. It’s both intense and dreamy. Many sci-fi books  - or books that have aliens in them -  are slow-paced, with lots of facts and people mulling over things. Not this one, as Number Four lets us in his head and it’s filled with emotion. The story is told from the emotional aspect, even though it’s never forgotten, that there is danger looming over the whole time. What also is sometimes a problem with sci-fi, is not one here: while there is a lot happening, it never confused me. If Four was running, I was never far behind.  

And, I love it how the writer is said to be Pittacus Lore on the cover and inside! 

First I fell in love with Number Fours’s speach and thought pattern. Both clearly differ from anyone else’s, as in no other major character in other books thinks like this or inside his own book. No other character in the book is like him, and of course, him being a teenager, is bothered by this. It’s the normal ‘I want to be a normal teen’ -storyline and I’m not really impressed. But still, it’s not the major thing, which surprises me. 

Four is fifteen years old. I realize this only when I’ve read twohundred pages and it’s a shock. He has experience, from years of running and lying, so that he sometimes seems a lot older. Still, he has innocence in him, but I believe it’s hope for normalcy that keeps living inside of him. So while he seems older, at moments he seems younger than fifteen. Is it the teenager fact, or a fault in the writing?

Besides that, Four seems to be apart from the “normal” people around him. He sees things a little differently and yet again, the describtion blows my mind away. Yet, he doesn’t go into much detail and at points he seems a little emotionless and doesn’t pull through. 

Four also should have experience with running away and being always on his guard. Still, he makes decisions that confuse me. Even without all his hide-I-must-attitude, he should have more common sense. It truly shocked me. 

But without the little times I’m confused by him, he tells the story so convincingly that I’m in la-la land the whole way. 

Henri, his mentor, Cêpan, is lovely. He is not the usual older side-kick type, gruffy with a stubborn streak. No, he has an emotional past and he truly cares for Four. He’s strong, but makes mistakes too and he admits them, letting Four save himself. It’s perfect how he isn’t perfect and lets Four in, lets the reader in, showing how even he doesn’t know anything. For that, he makes up with trying to be ready for all the possibilities. He’s strong inside and outside and it’s clearly for a reason that Four looks up to him. Plus, he is entertaining and full of surprises, which are both a blast to read.

The side characters are written well. You get a good picture of them in the moment, as to what they are doing and why Four thinks they are doing it. But it stays there. We are not given more background about them. And it’s fine, but two more major characters have the same faults. 

Sarah Hart, the love of Four’s life is a little one-dimensional. She’s described as so perfect that sweet that I’m starting to taste the sugar overload in my mouth. Her relationship with Four seems so natural it’s unnatural: from the start of their relationship, they seem to jump right into the part where they act like they’ve been married for fifty years. Color me going “Huh?” The way she takes all the surprises thrown at her, is not really realistic. She just goes oh, alright, I believe it because it’s you saying so. Only in the few last chapters, does her character grow into the boots she’s given as the love of an alien. 

Mark James is a huge disappointment also. He seems to just wake up one morning and think, hey, I’ve been a dick. Maybe I shouldn’t be anymore. And then everybody go with that, when before, they have been all uu, shame on you, jock-boy! Yeah, not believing it, I was really expecting a lot more or maybe a little more proof about how the waking up happened or more him and the other characters interacting, but there was very little about that.

Let’s talk some awesome characters at once. Sam Goode? The best friend rocks. He really has an emotional past, just like the aliens do and he acts it. If he makes changes they’re explained. His actions are all given reasons, as in that if he jumps, here’s the reason why. He also grows in the book, standing up for what he believes. He becomes stronger, learning from his mistakes. Four doesn’t really do that, but luckily Sam is there. He has an open mind and a big heart, and truly, he’s the best choice for Four’s best friend. But hey, there’s a reason behind it all! 

Bernie Kosar! In the beginning he seems a little random, but soon it will be weird without him, which is exactly what Four thinks about him. This little dog here is quite possibly the best animal in books I have ever read. He’s there for Four, protecting him and standing by his side. But he has also depth in him, beyond what a dog should have. He’s brave, optimistic and loyal, caring for those he’s claimed as his family. Of course, the plot won’t let him go, but you never think him just as a dog, as you shouldn’t. And plsu that he has a place in the plot, he’s a great entertainment factor! 

Last but not least is Six. She’s everything Four isn’t and as she first comes into the picture, I’m clapping gleefully. She’s strong, at ease with herself and ready to fight to the death, if she has to. It’s clear that we are not told everything about her, but the glimpses we see, prove that there is just as much inner strength as there is outer. I can’t wait to find out more about her. 

The aliens are important in the book. They are not the most impressing things out there, something we haven’t seen before, but a few things are. There is something very real about them, and the danger the Mogadorians manifest is especially real and hits pretty close to home. The history for both of the alien races is touching, like everything else in the book. It makes an impact and hopefully makes you think. 

But as we are slowly shown the past part by part, it is still made clear that we don’t know everything. And that just makes you drool for the next book.

The plot isn’t guessable and it moves nicely, constantly running. I myself was so blown away the describing, that all the new curves hit me unexpected. There is always some new trouble that Four must face. Sometimes he is alone with them, sometimes he is backed up by others. Sometimes the problems are more on the emotional side or sometimes they are literally galactical. The variety has you on your toes and I think it’s good. I personally love it, if the book surprises me. 

I am Number Four is definitely a story about growing up and hope. It’s about standing up for what you believe, about protecting the people you love. While there are other books about these same things, there is something about this one that captures you. It’s so emotional, as I’ve said already, that it’s touching. The need to grow up and fight is strong enough to touch the reader from it’s pages. It might be in the writing, but it could be Four. To me at least, there is something about that guy that makes me want to keep reading.

Basically the book is a galactic ride from the beginning to the end. Maybe the best and the worst part is that it doesn’t end here. 

A Realistic Image of the Future Or a Bad Nightmare?

Review of 

The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

Winning will make you famous. 

Losing means certain death. 

In a dark vision of the near future, a terrifying reality TV show is taking place. Twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live event called the Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed. 

When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her sister’s place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature. 

(Backcover text.. I love that cover!)

Now I’m not going to say more about that, as I’m sure you have at least heard about this books(series). And I know that the third book is the thing on the web and this review a little late, but I care not. 

You see, The Hunger Games and I go way back. What y’all don’t know, is that I’m always scrouging the bookstores for teh good books. I have to be very careful in what I buy, because I don’t have that much money. Well, back in 2008 I find a little book that I like the name of and it’s all alone in a corner. But the problem is, when I skim-read the first to chapters I’m like oh gods, boring! It reminded me of Matrix, which I never watch the whole movie. I only watch the parts in the Matrix. So, the beginning has me trying to forget the book. I avoid it for two years, nearly, until I find - believe it or not - awesome fake trailers about the series on youtube. It’s how I found TMI, so my curiosity spiked. 

And guess what, I was right. Okay, don’t hurl a knife at me, the beginning was horrible. Katniss has me on my hackles throughout the whole time. She’s rather dull and I can see in her the things I’ve seen in other books about teenaged girls in danger, written by a middle-aged lady with a dozen of kids, loving husband and plenty of experience. (No offense to Collins!) So, Katniss’ voice does not please me and the book reveals itself to be one of those that begin slow-ly.

Luckily, Suzanne Collins has got me, even if Katniss doesn’t. As I read BOS (earlier review) before this, I’m gleeful about the difference, of how the books started. In BOS, the female lead has me reading the book and then I see the beauty in the writing. Here it’s the other way. 

Because Katniss gets stronger. To me, it seems clear that she’s shut from people. She’s at her best in the woods, with a bow and an arrow and hunting. She’s best at survival and you could say, the Hunger Games are her games. As Katniss’ inner voice grows stronger and she grows into the boots(quiver) Collins has set out for her, she actually learns something! Yes, booyah, thank you! I like it how she’s definitely taking the opportunities as they’re thrown at her. 

Also, Collins herself grows into the Hunger Games. She’s at her best at the Games themselves, not in the prefaces or - gods forbid - in the awful beginning chapters. But Katniss Everdeen? Collins, really? I mean..? It’s a plant, okay, it fits the story but...Katniss?

Bring out the red carpet, this paragraph is reserved for Peeta Mellark. He’s officially joined my list of awesome guy characters from books, such as Jace, Nick, Simon, Magnus...Okay, wiping the drool off now. 

He’s sweet, check, he knows how to play the game, check, and wait for it, he acts for the camera, shows his feelings and lies better than the Joker himself! Of course, in the youtube trailers he was always played by Alex Pettyfer, so I liked him before grapping the book. 

Except for this one little thing. Peeta?! Are you kidding me? Katniss, that I can deal with, even if it makes me shake my head, but Peeta? I have to constantly remind myself that this is a guy. A GUY. If there’s a fan or someone with more understanding out there reading this, tell me, what am I missing? 

But still, he doesn’t kick ass as much as Katniss does. Here we finally have a guy protagonist, who does not have supernatural powers, but still feels the urgent need to protect his dream girl. And while he might have danced on the dangerous line between a one-dimensional character and a three-dimensional character, Collins’ writing saves the day. Also, because of the book being from Katniss’ point of view, we see only bits of him, as she is clearly not as understanding of him, as she is of the woods. What makes him a good character, is the fact that I liked him even before he’d made an entrance but, you never knew what he was playing at. At moments he’s so likeable I just wanted to pinch his cheeks. Then, he does something that makes you want to go for the pepper spray. Hm, good job Collins: you’ve made it so that even when Peeta is getting ready to kill the girl he loves, he’s still a teenager. 

And then there were three. Or, well a maybe a little bit more characters that I felt like whooping over, but it sounded nice. 

Prim’s the mandatory younger sister, whom Katniss loves. Except Peeta and whatshisface. Believe it, but I started to like her only when she got out of the picture and we got her from Katniss’ view. She’s not perfect, but Katniss’ love for her and the way she obviously cares for her is touching. Especially when she mixes her up with Rue, it was beautiful. I still feel that she is a little one-dimensional, but Katniss loves her and the Big K knows what she’s doing. 

Her mother was charmingly portrayed and I felt both bad for her and pissed off at her. It’s clear she’s been suffering from some serious hearbreak, but it still doesn’t authorize you to leave your kids to tend for themselves. Katniss is what, twelve when her father dies and Prim is twelve, when Katniss volunteers for her. Now that’s devotion and love. I liked it how she had a backstory, that got revealed in bits and parts, told by other people. It made me hate her less and helped me see through the hard shell that Katniss had created for herself - because her mother couldn’t pull through. 

I feel like all the other background characters would deserve their own little paragraphs, but I’ll only mention a few. One is that, Cato and Clove are so sweet. I know nothing about this fandom, but I’m betting my money that he volunteered only because she got chosen. Don’t the girls get chosen first? 

Then there is a whole bunch of characters that are all portrayed beautifully. Here Collins shows her talent too. She reveals little by little, first by the first impression Katniss gets, then as she later thinks about that impression, and as she later made to face them again. It really proves a good writer, when you don’t want to let go of any character. Except the ones that are meant to die, but they’re just...meant to. Which bothered me. I would have wanted to know more about all the contestants. But now, it has been brought down to Katniss, Peeta and...you guessed it Gale. He’s not in the Games, yet we cannot get rid of him!

Gale is one of those characters that I just don’t like about. The very first moment they appear on page and I wish them gone. He seems to be written very simply, but maybe this will improve in the next books. I have to read all the other books too, as I’m now rooting for Peeta to get Katniss. 

Back to Gale. He’s very normal. The ordinary version of the hunter. Written in many other books in many other variations. Some of the things about him that Katniss thinks about seem very absurd to me, but that may be because I just don’t like him. He seems dull in the way that he doesn’t have any supreme charasteric to grab on to. Katniss basically lulls over the same facts and then compares him to her. Peeta is her opposite, so I’m just going to go that way and stop hurting Gale. 

The plot? Well, when you think about it, it’s nothing surprising, until you get to the Games. It’s all pretty guessable, but what makes it special is the way it’s written. Collins has this veil of mystery and desperation hanging over the place the whole time. 

And when we get to the real thing, it’s an adrenaline rush all the way to the end. Booyah! And here Katniss shines, so Collins has really put everything into this. The only thing that I’ve been left to mull over is the way Katniss and Peeta are described kissing. Well, okay the circumstances are not the best first, but this a stranger. It’s a lie, and she practically has feelings for the hunter-boy back home. Which of course she won’t realize yet. And then they’re described kissing many times over. In a passing. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems sort of hustled. The ending’s very fast-moving and is over faster than the speed of light. 

The ending lefts your heart beating, but. Collins moves pace and it shows in Katniss’ actions, as the reality kick in. For all of us. Peeta isn’t very pleased by the sudden change of Katniss’ mind and neither am I. We’ve already obtained what I think about that relationship, so I’m between love and hate with Katniss’s behaviour. It’s a little too sudden. .... but that’s all I’m going say about it. I just realised how detailed this text is, so the ending can be left at that. 

Basically, this book rules because of Suzanne Collins. She clearly knows what she’s doing. Or does she? One of the things I’ve held against the Hunger Games is that in 1999, a japanese writer, Koushun Takami wrote a book called Battle Royale, in which forty-something high school students from Japan are transported to an island, where they have to kill each other. The transporting? Operated by the government, whose new student-control program it is. The movie made about the book has the same feeling in it - as I’ve never read the book. It has this feeling of terror, desperation, disbelief and most of all, adrenaline rush. What differs is, that in Hunger Games, I never flinched when somebody died. Collins seems to have made a book about killing people legally, made into a show, without the blood splattering off the pages. I’m kind of pleased, but yet, the romance is lacking too. But I’m so high on adrenaline I can’t think! But hey, is that Gerard Butler from Gamer-movie? I think I’m seeing the future here...

Which reminds me. One of the most shocking things is that, a review reflected inside the book is true: it makes you think. While the review was puzzled by that, I find it obvious. This might not be so surprising, if it happens in the future. I’m not saying I’d support it, but think about it. The history given to us in the book? Perfectly possible, no deadly T-viruses here. And that’s the scary part, or a part of it. It makes you think, what would you do? Would you climb in a tree, trying to clear of others and find water? Or would you put up a fire, even if a small one, during the first night? When there are still lots of blood-thirsty people out there. Except that they are not blood-thirsty. Because this is a good kind of book. The kind, which you can put down and bury under your bed, if you wish. Or will you think, learn and be kind to others? It might just be the perfect game plan...

Are You a Witch Too?

Review of 
Book of Shadows 
by Cate Tiernan

Sixteen year old Morgan is not who she thought she was...

Something is happening to me that I don’t understand. 

I see things, feel things in a new way. 
I can do things, magickal things - it scares me. 

Even in my coven I am too powerful now - too different to belong. 
I am alone. Except for Cal. 

I never chose to learn witchcraft. But now it is choosing me. 

(Backcover text)

So basically Book of Shadows tells the story of Morgan Rowlands, whose story gets interesting when the new hot senior boy Cal Blaire moves to town and starts rounding up people to form a new coven. He’s a Wiccan witch, apparently, and Morgan is drawn to him. Bad news is, so is her best friend, Bree. As the ordinary girl Morgan is drawn to learn more about Wicca, she is also drawn to Cal. But is Morgan that normal? And staying away from Cal for the sake of her friendship isn’t that easy. Dark secrets, love and betrayal await around the corner...

Now, finding this book was a big treat for me. Why, you ask? Let me tell you a little back story, before the reviewing starts. 

So the Sweep book series is a group of ? books by Cate Tiernan. They’ve been published in the US, UK, Italy, France, Australia and Belgium (thanks Wikipedia!). Sounds normal, right? Well apparently they’re not, says a Finnish politician. 

As the Sweep book series was about to get translated into finnish, a Christian politician-lady, from the Christian party, gets up in the politic-place-somewhere and says these books should not be translated as they go against Christianity and have Wicca in them. 

Later, the publisher is accounted to have said that they are not publishing the book series. The reason? They thought the religion in the book was fictitious and not real, as Wicca is and now that they have found out that it is real, they are afraid it might give ideas to the teenaged girls they are marketing it to. 

Give teenagers ideas? Yes, well, that is a scary thought. But am I the only one who is thinking of the House of Night series? Oh, wait, it’s a fictitious religion, never mind, the danger is over. By the way, it just got translated here. 

After fuming about the idiocy that is (sometimes) a Christian politician, I find the first and second books in the series in english in a book store! Alright, they were in the very back in the Teen section, but still. I couldn’t believe my eyes at first. But then my curiosity wins and I gleefully by them.

As the book starts I’m practically struck dumb. Yes, you read that right. It starts just like every other teen book out there, giving a little too much about the people around the main protagonist, Morgan. Their clothes and attitudes are described well at points and almost their whole lives. But still, most of the background characters seem to be suffering from Justin Case (thanks New Moan!). 

If they are not the main protagonists, they get lost in the ground, as I can’t remember who is who. 

Well, while the background people might not be interesting, thank god for the hot younger sister who is way more popular than the protagonist, but still friends with her and the best friend who is in fact a bitch. Don’t get me wrong, I actually liked Mary K. the younger sister and Bree, the best friend. They’re both mandatory, but somehow, still fresh. For example, Mary K. really cares for her older sister, they actually have a relationship. And Bree? Well, she’s a bitch, but I like the bitch characters. She really has a relationship with Morgan, too. Their fight is awesome and Bree’s look on things is so teenager, I’m loving it. 

We get to Morgan. She seems like every other protagonist, but isn’t. These days, female protagonists have to kick ass, be witty and have a backbone. Oh, and suffer from Bella Swan-syndrome of degrading their own looks. Morgan has a backbone, thank gods, but isn’t too witty nor does she kick ass. Her backbone comes out just when it should, but she’s a nice girl. A little shy, but she doesn’t lose her ability to speak nor does she blush when the male protagonist speaks to her. At this point I like her. And what I also like, is that she doesn’t degrade herself, at least not that much. She hardly thinks of her looks, which I find normal, except for the situations when such things are really, really mandatory. Yes, I’m liking her. And then we get to the witch part. She’s stronger than the others. Okay, it sounds bad, but how does it manifest? She feels faint and has to sit down. It’s official, this sounds like every other teen there, minus the part where she is a blood witch. And that’s a good  thing. 

And her crush of crushes, Cal Blaire. He descends to the story from amids the mist and appears in slow motion. He seriously seems a little too perfect and I’m just waiting for his real motivation to come through. He fits in perfectly everywhere, never gets angered and knows everything. Also, he suffers from the golden-eye virus - note Edward Cullen and Jace. 

So I’m not sure what to think of Cal. I like his name and there are moments that I’m right there with Morgan - drooling over him. And then there are moments I want to shake him to get him admit his evil plans. Maybe it’s revealed in later books?

The book is in its plot very normal. It starts with giving you the backstory, readying the reader for the Wicca part. And boy, was it needed. The latter part of the book is filled with all these fine little details of every Wiccan thing ever explained. It has me between hate and love. While I’m interested and curious, it won’t hold attention, because there is too much background people and not enough Cal, for example. Give me more of him, so I can figure him out! 

Luckily we have Morgan learning new things and then later, struggling between pleasing her parents and her inner will to be a witch. I liked that part, it was different, her parents’ reactions curious. Do they know something we don’t? Morgan, what do you think? 

Well, the plot isn’t that surprising, it’s more about the relationships and Morgan’s struggle, of which the latter is the thing that keeps the book together. The Catholic religion had me choking, but Morgan dealt with it so it couldn’t bother me. Her parents though? Annoying, head-banging: They seem so quickly phrased, like all the Justin Cases here, that the only places when they get to shine is when they scream at Morgan. 

Another annoyance is that everyone seems to know about Morgan’s witchiness more than they let on. And Morgan does not investigate. Here, her nice girl act annoys. 

But Cate Tiernan writes well. I like it how she portrays things and says things simply, but with details. I like my books with small little details that bother my brain. Not that Book of Shadows bothers your brain, not at all. It flows naturally, once you get started. I believe it can thank Tiernan’s gift for writing and her creating of Morgan. 

She has done exceptional job with the Wiccan parts. At points they really shined, giving Morgan some really good stuff to work with. I might read just them later and try to ignore the characters who bored me. Then I’ll maybe find out, if they are good or just boring Wikipedia facts. 

For light reading, Book of Shadows is a good read. Although, I’d say you have to have patience and an open mind, for the Wiccan parts and for the teenagers milling around. It certainly kept me curious though, throughout the whole book and Morgan does step up later, as she decides her Fate, which had me applauding. I say this is an interesting read that stands out of the crowd in a different way than you might expect.