Valiant

Name: Valiant
Author: Holly Black
Pages: 313
Start Date: May 6
Finish Date: May 7
Type: Gothic Faery/Beauty and the Beast Story; Hardback
Status: Library; #2 in A Modern Tale of Faery
Rating:

Summary:When seventeen-year-old Valerie runs away to New York City, she's trying to escape a life that has utterly betrayed her. Sporting a new identity, she takes up with a gang of squatters who live in the city's labyrinthine subway system.But there's something eerily beguiling about Val's new friends. And when one talks Val into tracking down the lair of a mysterious creature with whom they are all involved, Val finds herself torn between her newfound affection for an honorable monster and her fear of what her new friends are becoming.

My Review: I'll admit I was pissed that it wasn't about the Faeries from the 1st one. But this book had it's own twist. It was more focused on the pure mortal part, where as "Tithe" was about a mortal turning faery. Valiant also hit the topics on addicts and homeless and even a little about gay people and wanting what you can't have. I liked that it had those elements but it dragged. I got bored when all that was going on was Val taking the Never and basically going a little insane. I personally wanted to know more about Ravus and the sword and more about Trolls. And the heat and chemistry between Ravus and Val I think needed to be turned up, because they way it is, it's like she's falling (slowly) for a teacher or boss. But... in the end, literally, it was awesome. Also I do like that Roiben and Kaye make a camo :)
And yes you kinda need to read this before Ironside. Well at least I recommend you do.

Excerpt: Gone in one faerie sigh....

Cover/Title: That sword is so bad-ass! And I like how she pulled "Valiant" into it. Much more creative than the 1st.

Extras: X

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Waiting For You

Name: Waiting for You
Author:Susane Colasanti
Pages: 320
Start Date: May 3
Finish Date: May 5
Type: Teen Romance/Drama; Hardback
Status:Library
Rating:

Summary:It’s sophomore year, and Marisa is ready for a fresh start and, hopefully, her first real boyfriend. But after popular Derek asks her out, things get complicated. Not only do her parents unexpectedly separate, but Marisa has a fight with her best friend, and Derek—the love of her life—delivers a shocking disappointment. The only things keeping Marisa together are the podcasts from the anonymous DJ, who seems to totally understand Marisa. But she doesn’t know who he is . . . or maybe she does.

My Review: This is the third book by Miss Colasnati that I have read and I gotta say, she KNOWS how to write. In "Waiting for You" you can really, juts... feel the feelings like it's something that's actually happened or happening to you. And this might be a spoiler but I have to say this: The mom is a bitch. I mean what she does and lets her daughters think is just completely mind blowing. But I think it was very realistic. And Nash... ug I wish I had a friend like him. He's so cute! And the DJ is freakin' awesome; he knows his music. This book is a very much a growing up and deal with story as well as a hidden love story. Plus it has great music. Good book + Great music = My seal of approval.

Excerpt: "Let me break this down for you. It's really simple, once you understand the basics. Fact: Guys are not that complicated. We're pretty simple animals. We like to sleep and eat and game. We like attention from the ladies, or from the dudes if you swing that way- it's all god. But too much attention is a turnoff. No one wants to feel crowded. Think about it like this: Does a wild animal like to be trapped in a cage? Yeah, we're tame. But we still have the same needs."
~ page 178

Cover/Title: Pretty cute cover, and as always, I love the title and how the author fits it into the story. :) Go Susane!

Extras:
Mat Kearney CD (Grey's Anatomy Song #10) - page 32
Speak, book - 33
Girl, book - 33
Arcade Fire, music - 26
My So-Called Life, show - 62
Cookie Monster Song - 75
John Mayer: Daughters - ????? sry
The Pact, book - 141
Pump Up the Volume - 152
When Harry Met Sally - 152
19 Minutes, book - 171
The Pixies, music - 182
Colin Hay, music - 183
Twisted, book - 190
The Cure ~ "Treasure" - 190
John Mayer: Slow Dancing - 257
John Mayer: Clarity - 274
Heathers (Christian Slater), movie - 286
John Mayer: 3X5 - 291

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