Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer

Cress by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVE the Lunar Chronicles series!

Cress (Book 3) continues to extend and add complexities to the series as a whole. As with the second book, Scarlet, at first I wasn't sure that I could come to care for Cress as much as the other characters with whom I'd already become connected. Cress is very different from Cinder or Scarlet and I still need to get to know her better through the final installment (Do I really have to wait until November?!). However, her character (and Throne for that matter) grew on me. I was also glad to have Kai and Cinder finally in the same room together again (well, I was glad, then I wasn't, then I was nervous, then I definitely wasn't, then I was, I think . . .).

If you liked the first book at all, give the 2nd and 3rd books a try. The story definitely gets more complex and enjoyable. I also like how more and more of the characters' back stories are being revealed as the story progresses.

Highly recommended, but read the series in order!

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Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me just say . . . I LOVED this book!

At the very beginning, I wasn't sure I could get into it because I loved Cinder so much. I didn't see how I could enjoy and connect with Scarlet and Wolf and their story as much as Cinder and Kai, but I fell in love again!

In this second book in The Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder escapes from prison and accidently acquires a partner in crime, "Captain" Thorne. Their escape and search for answers is played out between chapters telling the story of Scarlet, a young woman who is desperate to find her missing grandmother. Scarlet partners with a street fighter named Wolf to track down her grandmother's kidnappers. Mysteries surrounding Wolf's life and true identity slowly come to light as they get closer to finding Scarlet's grandmother. Will Scarlet get too close? Will trusting Wolf be a mistake?

I can't wait to start book three, Cress!

Highly recommended - read the series in order!

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Cinder by Marissa Meyer (The Lunar Chronicles #1)

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't really know what I was getting into when I started this book. I love all things Grimm, so I was interested in reading another fairy tale revamp, but I didn't know anything about how this one was done.

Initially, it took a bit for me to get into the story. I don't normally associate cyborgs and world wars with fairy tales. Once I got into the story though, I REALLY got into it! There is enough of a nod to the original tale to satisfy the connection, but enough originality to make this story extremely appealing to current YA fans.

Despite trying to shorten my "to read" list, I can't be too upset with Marissa Meyer for adding 3 more books to the list. I must read the whole series now! I have to find out if there will be a happily ever after for Cinder and Emperor Kai!

Highly recommended!

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Longbourn by Jo Baker

Longbourn by Jo Baker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm very hesitant to read any books that claim to continue stories by Jane Austen, but were not written by dear Jane herself. I like reading her original works without alteration, continuation, or even being finished at all because I like the work of Jane Austen.

It was with some reluctance that I took the recommendation of a friend and decided to read Longbourn. One reason I was willing to read it is because it's different. It's not continuing a story but rather supporting the story of Pride and Prejudice with another story. The story of the servantry "downstairs". Events in this book parallel events in Austen's original work.

The main character is Sarah, a young housemaid who desires to experience the world rather than stay trapped in hard work at Longbourn for the rest of her life. The other main characters are the rest of the servants of the Bennet household with supporting characters from servants of the Bingley and Darcy households. Characters readers will recognize from Pride and Prejudice show up in various forms, from brief appearances to having life-changing interactions with the servants.

The author, Jo Baker, seems to have a very realistic perspective of what servants (and soldiers)may have experienced at that time. In comparison to the writing of Austen, Baker uses very graphic language and explicit images at various points throughout the book.

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Sky Raiders (Five Kingdoms #1) by Brandon Mull

Sky Raiders by Brandon Mull
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first book in Brandon Mull's latest series is as enjoyable as his other epic adventures.

This time a boy from our world, Cole, and his friends are kidnapped and taken to a different world as slaves. Of course this is Mull's imagination we are delving into, so these slaves will be used for a type of magic called shaping or to be thieves that steal from castles that float in the sky.

If you love Mull's other tales of strange creatures and magical worlds, then you'll love this as well. If you aren't familiar with the writing of Brandon Mull, I would suggest reading the Fablehaven series first to get a taste of his style and imagination before getting into the more complex story lines woven into the Five Kingdoms series.

Whether you are familiar with the books of Brandon Mull or not, if you love fantasy, this is an author you definitely want on your "to read" list!

Highly recommended.

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Size Matters Not: The Extraordinary Life and Career of Warwick Davis (Autobiography)

Size Matters Not: The Extraordinary Life and Career of Warwick Davis by Warwick Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved reading about the life and experiences of Warwick Davis. I love Willow and thought he was fantastic in that film.
I've thought how amazing it is to be the only major actor to play multiple roles in BOTH of the major film movements that are Star Wars and Harry Potter. I had no idea of all the other movies and projects in which Davis has been involved.
I also enjoyed hearing his positive voice throughout the book. He and his wife have had some very difficult life experiences, but their love of life and each other is repeated over and over. Reading this book gave me very positive vibes and I don't feel ready for this reading journey is over!

Highly recommended!

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The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can think of nothing better to do on a chilly fall morning when I'm feeling under the weather than to stay in bed and read. This time gave me the opportunity to finish The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.

This is the dark, yet quirky tale of Bod, a living boy raised by a menagerie of ghosts (and a few other creatures). Throughout the book, Bod meets various living and non-living characters and has some interesting experiences. Being raised in a graveyard has many advantages for the boy, but also the disadvantage of not fitting into (or being safe in) the world of the living. I absolutely enjoyed this book! A book that can allow the reader to experience a variety of emotions is a satisfying read and you definitely get that with this book - fear, sadness, joy, heartbreak, and hope.

This is my highly recommended October read!

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