A Certain Slant of Light

Helen has some issues. She is a ghost that has been living passively for more than a hundred years, following the lives of her hosts (whom she doesn't actually posses, they're just kinda like anchors that keep her here). One day as she is hanging around one of her host's classes she feels someone watching her. But she's invisible, right?

I'm going to have to give away the plot to tell you just how many things are wrong in this book. So she's a ghost, I can deal with that. But she thinks it is just fine to take over someonelse's body, since they're leaving it pretty much empty. That sounds like a good idea, NOT! And as soon as she gets this fifteen year old body the first thing she does is have sex with her love in the school theater. The body she has taken over belongs to a girl whoes parents are Christian fanatics. That's realistic, NOT! Then she completely defies them. Then (there are alot of those in this review) she kills herself just so she can be with her love. This seems to be a good way to deal with losing someone, NOT! Deep breath.

Hmmm, love?

I didn't really like this book, actually. It was more than just awful, the writing so patchy that it was hard to read. I'm okay with books being a little hazy just to preserve the mystery, but she took it overboard. As she did in many areas.

4 Breaking Dawn

This is the last book following Bella's journey from normal human to possibly vampire? I can't really say much more than that; you don't want me to give away what happens (even though I pretty sure everyone knows).

Other than being a boring book, this book celebrates the insensitivity that comes with being a vampire. Disemboweling people is just part of the job, it seems. There is a lot of talk about Bella and Edward's (momentarily forgot his name) sex life, so if this bothers you...

Well, um, Edward is really committed to Bella for better or worse...?

BORING! The third book was so good because Edward was so completely committed to Bella's well being. It was also almost ruined because of Bella's consistent insensitivity and stubborn stupidity. In this book Edward fades into the background in favor of Bella, so the book is an emotional, illogical mess.

3 Eclipse

The last book left me yelling "MARRY HIM YOU IDIOT" (sorry to those who haven't read it and whom I just ruined it for) and wondering if I should even read the third book. Thankfully I had already ordered it and so I let it be. Because this is the best Twilight book.

It's the usual. And Bella is even more insistent the her and Edward have sex (you would think she only liked him because of his body...Probably true, that and he can make her a vapire) Lots of killing of bad guys by good guys (good thing?), and humans by vampires. Kinda disturbing that their best solution is death.

Okay, I'm not 'in love' with Edward, but he really is the best character. He shines (hehehe) in this story with selflessness and true love for Bella.

So I liked this story the best because it was about the stuff I find most interesting. Human relationships and how they change over time and with stress. I really loved Edward's and Bella's reaction to the troubles they face together. They are both so determined to stay together forever. If that's a good thing or not, they don't seem to care.

2 New Moon

So everything isn't perfect for the star crossed (what does that mean?) lovers Bella and Edward. In fact, things are so not good that Edward decides that Bella is really better off without him. Edward desperately doesn't want to leave, but he's so dangerous. Bella goes off the deep end.

Well, the book is kinda about blood sucking vampires, if that bothers you. Kinda the sames stuff as last book. And Bella lies to her dad a lot about just about everything. And she just can't function without Edward, LAME!

Ummmm, Jacob is a good friend. Edward is just trying to do the right thing.

I really didn't like this book, it was just a long book full of nonsense. It was way too long, like wading through pitch. There really isn't a story without Edward. He is totally the best character, and since Bella is his opposite, she really ruins the books. Which is too bad, because she's the one we're suppose to be rooting for...

1 Twilight

Sooooo, disconnected teenager that I am, I just read Twilight. Anyway, Bella is just trying to keep her life on track in a world that seems to try and force her off. Then she meets Edward (sad, but I had to think for a second) and she falls in love with the beautiful, yet odd, ummm, guy.

So, as most of you probably know Edward and his 'family' are vampires, they just live off of animal blood. So if you think vampires are the root of all evil (like my mom), don't read this book; there are better ones out there. There is some swearing... And Bella seems kinda obsessed with sex...

Really Edward is the best thing about this book. He's actually a good guy, a real gentleman. When Bella gets out of control, he's there to bring things back. And he genuinely cares about her. That's why a billion girls love these books.

I thought this book was fine, a romantic one time read. But it's completely overshadowed by the third book.

2 Blade of Fire

Come back to the magical land that captured your interest in The Cry of the Icemark in Blade of Fire. This is the story of Thirrin and Oskan's children, specifically their youngest son. When an other war threatens, it looks as though Icemark cannot survive the attack, so the youngest prince gets sent away for his protection while his family stays to fight it out. Sharley feels betrayed by this action, but sets out to do his best in his situation. At home his family exhausts all their resources, but it doesn't seem to be enough. Is someone poisoning them from the inside?

The un-dead and other magical dark forces a everywhere, and sometimes allies.

Love, family, heroics, what could be better? This is an epic tale and has the things that make in epic, and really good!

I loved this sequel to The Cry of the Icemark, it was just as good if not better. Please read this and don't be intimidated by it large size, you'll wish it was bigger.

1 The Cry of the Icemark

Thirrin is little prepared to protect her kingdom from foreign invaders, but since her father dies she must accept the task that settles on her young shoulders. Thirrin sets out with the help of two unlikely allies to request help from anyone who is willing to hear The Cry of the Icemark.

Warlocks, witches, vampires and magic populate the world of Thirrin. None are malicious accept the vampires, but they aren't graphic.

Thirrin genuinely cares about what happens to her people, she is unprepared, but willing to accept the task that she is given. Oskan also unprepared, gives his all for his kingdom and Queen. Mercy is shown to be rewarded. This is a coming of age story, and I think Oskan and Thirrin come into the right things.

This is a little known book that I read on chance. I was at a library sale (those things are the best!) and I picked it up for cheap. I cracked the binding later in the year. I had found a really good story, that not many people knew about! Give it a little time and I believe you'll find a good book.

3 Ptolemy's Gate

Seeds of rebellion are still growing and Mr. Mandrake is still trying to stamp it out. In his fervor he has kept Bartimaeus summoned for almost two years, draining his essence. But things are worse than first perceived, Nathanial must team up with Kitty and Bartimaus to stop the destruction that has been building for all of the books.

Demons are the magical creatures in these books. Though not strictly demonic demons if you catch my drift. Magic is used. It also mocks great thinkers, in including Solomon.

Friendship, loyalty, self-sacrifice, kindness, self discovery, forgiveness.

These books really took me on a ride, one that I never expected. These are the kind of books I would like to write some day. They really make their point. You fall for them hook, line and sinker. If you can get through them and open your mind at the end, I believe you will understand and like these books. If you get past the demonic side.

2 The Golem's Eye

Two years since the last book, and Nathaniel has only gotten worse. Now assistant to the Minister of Internal affairs his job takes a lot of responsibility. When the Resistance flaming up Nathaniel is up to his ears in problems, so when a new destructive force enters the scene it is up to Nathaniel to solve the problem... with a little undeserved help.

Demons remain main characters, magic harnessing their powers. Revenge seams to be the largest driving force in these books, other than selfishness.

If you can stand to read these books, it may be worth your time. With a surprising ending to not only this book, but the next, I think they have a lesson to teach.

1 The Amulet of Samarkand

Nathaniel is a nasty boy of twelve who, for purposes of revenge, summons a powerful demon to do his bidding. Only Bartimaeus isn't very willing to take orders from a scruffy kid and when he gains some power over his master, he tries his best to wreck well deserved havoc on Nathaniel's life.

Demons of varying strength serve in the role of 'good guy' as there isn't anybody else to do so. Nathaniel is a grasping, heartless, self absorbed, mercenary person, wholly unlikable and all around quite nasty. There is nothing in these books to look up to or try and imitate.

The only thing to be said for them is they have some interesting ideas.

Not only do they have nothing to offer, more superficially, these books have the gall to be extremely uncharismatic. Unlike Artemis Fowl (WHO CHANGES!) These books are not fun to read. Not fun reading, nothing good in them, I think I can safely say skip these books.