Monday, October 28, 2019

Review: The Mediator Series 1-6 (Meg Cabot)

Shadowland (The Mediator, #1)Ninth Key (The Mediator, #2)Reunion (The Mediator, #3)
Darkest Hour (The Mediator, #4)Haunted (The Mediator, #5)Twilight (The Mediator, #6)

Titles (in order): Shadowland, Ninth Key, Reunion, Darkest Hour, Haunted, Twilight
Series: The Mediator Series, Books 1-6
Author: Meg Cabot (some originally released under Jenny Carroll)
Publisher: Avon Books
Release Date: November 1, 2000 - February 1, 2005
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Suspense
Content Rating: Older Teen (some language, violence, scary situations, sensuality, innuendo)
Format Read: Mass Market Paperback
Find OnGoodreads
PurchaseAzon | B&N | BookDepo | Indiebound
Summary (of Book 1):

Suze is a mediator -- a liaison between the living and the dead. In other words, she sees dead people. And they won't leave her alone until she helps them resolve their unfinished business with the living. But Jesse, the hot ghost haunting her bedroom, doesn't seem to need her help. Which is a relief, because Suze has just moved to sunny California and plans to start fresh, with trips to the mall instead of the cemetery, and surfing instead of spectral visitations.

But the very first day at her new school, Suze realizes it's not that easy. There's a ghost with revenge on her mind ... and Suze happens to be in the way.


*          *          *

Series: This is a review of the first six books in the series, which comprise Suze's teen years and were originally the entire Mediator series. Meg has since released a seventh book, Remembrance, about Suze as an adult.*

The Mediator series was a favorite of my youth, discovered while browsing library shelves and delightfully devoured through my teens. It was such a favorite that I own an entire set and occasionally re-read them when I'm feeling nostalgic and in need of some classic snark.

The Voice: Mediator is essentially all about the voice. Meg does an amazing job of writing the mind of a teen, young but jaded after a lifetime of dealing with ghosts, who moves across the country to a life of "new"s: new coast, new family, new school, new friends, new loves, and naturally new people trying to kill her. Suze's first person point of view is chatty and telling and her naive yet bad girl flare really brings her story to realistic life despite the paranormal elements. Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Veronica Mars (if Veronica took up ghost hunting).

The Characters: Still, despite Suze's snark and butt-kicking abilities, I must note that she is not a bright girl. Foolish at her best and suicidal at her worst, she's a hit and insult first, try to reason with later kind of gal, and she doesn't see how this is not the best mediation technique. Her communication skills, especially with the dead, are abominable, and only with luck (and typically a trip to the hospital) is she able to accomplish her job in some semblance of the word. But you don't read these books for her mad mediating skillz. You read them for her quick wit, her sweet romance with Jesse, and her ghostly albeit violent adventures. They aren't pretty, but they're entertaining.

As for Jesse, the hot ghost who shares Suze's bedroom, it must also be noted that he sadly has very little screen time. This is a grave disappointment since he is the highlight of the series, but you learn to look forward to his brief scenes and enjoy what time he graces the story. And if you make it to the final book, you are at least rewarded with a lively, Jesse-centric climax.

But then there's Paul. Conceited, creeper Paul is unfortunately as important to the last three books as Jesse (even more so, really) and therefore gets a lot of skin-crawling screen time. Meg did her job of making him unlikable way too well, and it's very easy to find the boy as repulsive as poor Suze does. If you care enough about Jesse's fate to finish the series then he's an antagonistic element you just have to accept and bear.

The Books: The first three books are classic mediator Suze, kicking butt and getting bloody. She takes on the suicidal and murderous ex-girlfriend of her first school crush in Shadowland (1), faces off with a vampire and psychotic businessman in Ninth Key (2), and the first two plots combine for a vengeful teen foursome and psychotic killer in Reunion (3). Spooky and violent, these are quick, thrilling reads that introduce Suze and her paranormal world as she struggles with her new life and confusing feelings for Jesse. (Just be ready to forgive an excess of commas.)

In the last three books, Suze's mediating world expands as she discovers there's more to her gift/curse than she ever knew. She faces deadly ghosts and a backyard body in Darkest Hour (4), meets a very different kind of mediator in Haunted (5), and exploits a newly discovered (if rather illogical) power in Twilight (6). While 4 had its moments, 5 & 6 weren't as enjoyable with their abundance of obnoxious Paul and questionable new powers. But Suze and Jesse's relationship finally reaches its romantic conclusion, and the series ends on a sweet and hopeful note for everyone's future.

Conclusion: Despite the violent undead and psychotic living out for her blood, as well as too little Jesse and way too much Paul, after nineteen years the six-book Mediator series still remains a quick and snarky teen classic for me. Suze can be a serious idiot most of the time, with the living and dead alike, but she and her life are certainly never boring. Definitely recommend for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and/or Veronica Mars.

*A Note About Book 7: Book 7 sees the return of Paul in all his evil glory, so if you despise him in the teen years as much as I did, I recommend you skip Suze's adult stories as I am.

Scribble Rating
3.5 of 5 Scribbles

Friday, October 25, 2019

The #FridayReads Review: #FierceReads Edition (10/25/19)



Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!


>> CURRENTLY READING <<
Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2)
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (PBK)
Dove straight into this sequel after devouring Cinder and no surprise I have been burning through it too! My dislike for 3+ POVs has only grown over the years and this one has... well, at least 5 (I've lost count) so it's not quite as enjoyable as Cinder was, but I've still been reluctant to put it down and am now only a few dozen pages from the end. So happy this series is just as engrossing as I remembered! 
(You can read my original review here.)


>> JUST FINISHED <<
Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1)
Cinder by Marissa Meyer (PBK)
4.5 Stars (re-read). I was a little wary to re-read this (second reads of older favorites can go bad for me), but I loved it just as much as I did before. I also didn't remember pretty much all of it (one of the very few perks of sieve brain), so it was like reading a whole new book! A brilliant and original fairytale retelling with relatable characters, an amazing world, and a stellar plot. You can read my full original review here.


>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<
(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)
Pitch Dark
Pitch Dark by Courtney Alameda (ARC)
I should slide straight into Cress but feel the need for some serious chills for Halloween so I'm planning to finally tackle Courtney's YA space horror! 


So what are you reading this week?

Monday, October 21, 2019

Review: Illusions of Fate (Kiersten White)

Illusions of Fate
Title: Illusions of Fate
Series: standalone
Author: Kiersten White
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: September 9, 2014
Genre: Young Adult Alternate Historical Contemporary Fantasy
Told: First Person (Jessamin), Present Tense
Content Rating: Older Teen (some minor torture, violence, kissing, quick animal cruelty)
Format Read: ARC
Find OnGoodreads
Purchase:Azon | B&N | BookDepo | Indiebound
Summary:

“I did my best to keep you from crossing paths with this world. And I shall do my best to protect you now that you have.”

Jessamin has been an outcast since she moved from her island home of Melei to the dreary country of Albion. Everything changes when she meets Finn, a gorgeous, enigmatic young lord who introduces her to the secret world of Albion’s nobility, a world that has everything Jessamin doesn’t—power, money, status…and magic. But Finn has secrets of his own, dangerous secrets that the vicious Lord Downpike will do anything to possess. Unless Jessamin, armed only with her wits and her determination, can stop him.


*          *          *

Illusions of Fate is an alternate historical fantasy with a little bit of everything: mystery, romance, suspense, magic. After a mysterious and alluring man insists on rescuing her from trouble, Jessamin finds herself violently entangled in power and politics and must find a way to save herself and everyone she holds dear from a sadistic villain.

At its heart, Illusions is a lord-and-commoner love story - although Finn is an unorthodox lord and Jessamin is anything but common. Capable and self-reliant, Jessamin wielded strength and wit against friend and foe and held her own against a terrifying antagonist. Even in the face of danger and torture she pushed through and saved herself when required, not waiting for a man to eventually rescue her. While her actions weren't always prudent she was true to herself and took responsibility for the consequences, and she was a fierce friend willing to sacrifice herself if need be to save others. Lord Finn, aptly described by the author as Howl meets Mr. Darcy, could be a bit vain, but ultimately he was charming and caring not only to Jessamin but to generally everyone. His and Jessamin's romance was odd but sweet and not overpowering, which I really enjoyed. I adored their dear friend and gossip Elanor for her cleverness, compassion, and secret skills, and although Jessamin got her into some deadly trouble Elanor remained a steadfast and reliable companion.

Despite the story's lighter romantic feel, the mystery elements involved gruesome murder, hidden magic, and a surprise twist in the last chapter that I did not anticipate in the slightest (bravo, Ms. White). The plot of power and politics got quite dark with a disturbing scene of torture, sadistic threats and actions, and a violent climax that almost ends on a bittersweet note, but ultimately love prevails for a happy and satisfying end.

Conclusion: Although the surprising bursts of violence were a little unsettling, Illusions of Fate is an enchanting standalone in the vein of Howl's Moving Castle with a sweet romance, intriguing magic, and a strong female character you can't help but root for. Highly recommend for alternate historical fantasy lovers.

Scribble Rating
4 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

House of Ivy & Sorrow by Natalie Whipple
Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore

Friday, October 18, 2019

The #FridayReads Review (10/18/19)



Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!


>> CURRENTLY READING <<
Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1)
Cinder by Marissa Meyer (PBK)
Was in a vague sci-fi mood so I finally grabbed this favorite for a re-read (I never finished the series and have been eager to). Although I was a little wary (second reads of older favorites can go bad for me), I'm loving it just as much as I did before! I also don't remember pretty much all of it so it's like reading a whole new book (one of the very few perks of sieve brain). Already excited for Scarlet next, which I recall I enjoyed even more than Cinder.


>> JUST FINISHED <<
Me & My Brothers, Vol. 11 (Me & My Brothers, #11)
Me & My Brothers vol. 11 by Hari Tokeino (PBK)
4 Stars. Re-read of the entire series for review. A cutie classic from my shelves about a teen girl who goes to live with her four stepbrothers and falls for the late-twenties eldest. Enjoyed the romance and hijinks as much as previous reads, despite the story moving way too fast. Review to come!


>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<
(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)
Natsume's Book of Friends, Vol. 23
Natsume's Book of Friends vol. 23 by Yuki Midorikawa (PBK)
Expecting this in the mail soon and I'm excited for a new volume of adventures with Natsume! I rather hope this favorite series never ends.


So what are you reading this week?

Friday, October 11, 2019

The #FridayReads Review (10/11/19)



Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!


>> CURRENTLY READING <<
Me & My Brothers, Vol. 1 (Me & My Brothers, #1)
Me & My Brothers vol. 1 by Hari Tokeino (PBK)
Currently re-reading one of my own manuscripts as prep for Nanowrimo so I'm taking a novel breather, but I needed some kind of palate cleanser so manga it was! This is a cutie classic from my shelves about a 14 year-old girl who goes to live with her four stepbrothers and falls for the 25 year-old eldest. Despite some heavier subjects it's a fun, sweet slice-of-life romance.  


>> JUST FINISHED <<
I Love You So Mochi
I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn (ARC)
4 Stars. Although the story and romance moved way too fast, I really enjoyed Kimi's journey of discovery and especially her colorful visit to favorite Japan! Review to come.


>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<
(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)
Cut Off
Cut Off by Adrianne Finlay (ARC)
Discovered this on the library ARC shelf and I've been craving some horror-esque tension so I might give it a try.


So what are you reading this week?

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Waiting on Wednesday: Moment of Truth (Kasie West)


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blogging event in which one spotlights an upcoming release they are eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:


Hearts, Heroes, and Heath Hall
Title: Moment of Truth
Author: Kasie West
Release Date: March 3, 2020
Publisher: HarperTeen
Summary:

(formerly titled Hearts, Heroes, and Heath Hall)

At sixteen, Hannah Moore knows exactly who she is—a swimmer who will earn a scholarship to college. Totally worth all the hard work, even if her aching shoulders don’t agree. So when a guy dressed as Hollywood’s latest action hero, Heath Hall, crashes her swim meet, she isn’t amused. Instead, she’s determined to make sure he doesn’t bother her again. Only she’s not sure exactly who he is.

The swim meet isn’t the first event the imposter has interrupted, but a little digging turns up a surprising number of people who could be Heath Hall, including Hannah’s ex-boyfriend and her best friend’s crush. She soon finds herself getting caught up in the mysterious world of the fake Heath Hall.

As Hannah gets closer to uncovering the masked boy’s identity she also discovers some uncomfortable truths about herself—like she might resent the long shadow her late brother has cast over her family, that she isn’t as happy as she pretends to be with her life choices… and that she is falling for the last guy she ever thought she would like.



Why I'm Looking Forward To It: Unmasking an event-crashing action hero: such fun! Also it's a Kasie West story (phasers set to auto-buy) so I know I'll be in for a quick read with great banter and a sweet romance. 


So what book are you waiting on?

Friday, October 4, 2019

The #FridayReads Review (10/4/19)



Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!


>> CURRENTLY READING <<
The Atlas of Happiness: The Global Secrets of How to Be HappyTwilight (The Mediator, #6)

The Atlas of Happiness by Helen Russell (HBK)
Randomly grabbed this from the library new books shelf and I've been thoroughly enjoying it! I love reading about how different countries relax and enjoy themselves while at the same time getting a glimpse into how they live their lives. Fascinating.

The Mediator: Twilight by Meg Cabot (PBK)
I finally hit my limit with Paul and have been struggling a little with this final book. Still planning to finish and finally read Book 7, but compared to the rest of the series it's been slow going, especially with better non-fiction and manga to read.


>> JUST FINISHED <<
The Ancient Magus' Bride Vol. 11
The Ancient Magus' Bride vol. 11 by Kore Yamazaki (PBK)
4 Stars. A lot of infodumping as the world continues to expand and get ever more complicated, but I'm really enjoying the new school characters! Looking forward to the next volume.


>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<
(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)
Remembrance (The Mediator, #7)
The Mediator: Remembrance by Meg Cabot (PBK)
I'll be interested to see how Meg picked the series back up in their adult years.


So what are you reading this week?

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Waiting on Wednesday: What I Like About You (Marisa Kanter)


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blogging event in which one spotlights an upcoming release they are eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:


What I Like About You
Title: What I Like About You
Author: Marisa Kanter
Release Date: April 7, 2020
Publisher: Simon & Schuster BYR
Summary:

Can a love triangle have only two people in it? Online, it can…but in the real world, it's more complicated. In this debut novel that’s perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Morgan Matson, Marisa Kanter hilariously and poignantly explores what happens when internet friends turn into IRL crushes.

Is it still a love triangle if there are only two people in it?

There are a million things that Halle Levitt likes about her online best friend, Nash.

He’s an incredibly talented graphic novelist. He loves books almost as much as she does. And she never has to deal with the awkwardness of seeing him in real life. They can talk about anything…

Except who she really is.

Because online, Halle isn’t Halle—she’s Kels, the enigmatically cool creator of One True Pastry, a YA book blog that pairs epic custom cupcakes with covers and reviews. Kels has everything Halle doesn’t: friends, a growing platform, tons of confidence, and Nash.

That is, until Halle arrives to spend senior year in Gramps’s small town and finds herself face-to-face with real, human, not-behind-a-screen Nash. Nash, who is somehow everywhere she goes—in her classes, at the bakery, even at synagogue.

Nash who has no idea she’s actually Kels.

If Halle tells him who she is, it will ruin the non-awkward magic of their digital friendship. Not telling him though, means it can never be anything more. Because while she starts to fall for Nash as Halle…he’s in love with Kels.



Why I'm Looking Forward To It: (1) A love triangle with only two people, (2) a main character who is a fellow book blogger, and (3) a bakery? That's what I call a love triangle of a story!


So what book are you waiting on?