Multiculturalism by Charles Taylor is a unique look on an age old problem of providing an environment compatible with various diverse cultures. I’m not sure thatI can explain it exactly, I just know I really enjoyed it and the philosophy it presented. It’s so far outside my usual zone that I’m not sure I can judge it on the same scale as, say, Once Bitten, Twice Shy. It was a fantastic book, though, and, I believe, one that could inform the teaching styles of teachers in diverse communities, or anyone who would deal with an accurate cross-section of said community.

Just read it, y’all.

That is, if you’re in the mood for a pretty intense book.

Deja Dead was a beautiful, charming detective story. (That is, if you find eviscerated bodies charming.) I loved this Temperance Brennan, loved her different back story and character, loved her passion and (comparative) normality. She was different than Bones, but awesome all the same.

The last hundred pages or so are where the book wraps a decomposed hand around you and refuses to let go. I loved watching her work through the mystery, and I loved that the “best friend” character is not the “best friend” forever.

Just read it! Watch the show! Fall in love!

The characters don’t try to be relatable, or likeable, there will be no “Hi! I’m Jane Doe, and I’m just an ordinary girl!” catch-phrase. The characters aren’t trying to make you love them. They just are. They are, despite their supernatural tendencies, like real people, not people playing the protagonist for a camera.They have faults. And at the beginning, that seems to be the only thing evident. But they also have emotions. They’re real. And I think Yuzuki brilliantly contrasts to the beautiful lie about vampires and their tortured pasts, how usually they turn out to be charming, if brooding, but essentially gentle creatures. Not so here.

And when I finished the book, and was thinking of what to write in my review, I was trying to think of why I liked it. It was a subtle book. And a strange book. It was an insidious book that somehow creeps into your subconscious and rests there. Perhaps it’s the sadistic humor. Or the balanced romance where it doesn’t seem like every other word is hitting you over the head with how in love they will be. (So many vampire books bludgeon you with it. You know the type. The type where you’ll see: “His midnight hair! His devilish smile! Oh, I’d swoon, but he’d drink my blood! Oh no!” going on for three pages only to begin again. Bleah. Not the case here.)One that you find that urge to read, find yourself picking it up, and at the end feel satisfied as though you had eaten a filling meal.

I’m not sure how to describe it. Subtle. Strange. Creepy, at points, funny at others. Here’s one thing I will say: I’d love to know more about the characters. It’s so rare to find a protagonist who’s not nice, or heroic, at least not classically so. It’s one of those books that leaves you grasping for a word to describe it, one of those books where you feel like there’s a wealth of things to say coagulating at the back of your throat, but no words.

You know the sort of book I’m talking about.

Delight in Cruelty is one of those books.

Stephan? Who’s Stephan? OMG, he’s a vampire! Wait, please tell me this isn’t like Twilight.

(And, no, it is not like Twilight.)

Then:

Adam? Who’s Adam? OMG, he’s a werewolf! Wait, please tell me this isn’t like Twilight.

(No, seriously, not at all like Twilight.)

After that:

Magical walking stick? Ohhh…now I’m starting to see that this is not like Twilight!

(Right you are! But now it’s starting to sound more like Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin, and, by the way, the last book in that series came out, and I am currently reading it. Cute series.)

Right, well. This book is not a stand alone. By any stretch of the imagination.

So Anyway, River Marked is a very interesting book. I really liked the sea monster. Well, river monster. I’ve noticed that there are very few stories about those nowadays. Or maybe I’m just reading the wrong books.

Here’s why I love short story anthologies: If you hate one of the stories, it’ll be over soon. If you love one of the stories, you’ve found a new author who you can then buy all the books of. Also, if you get one where you hate all te stories except for the one that the author you got the book because, well, there’s still that story.

Anyway, It was a great book: there were a lot of fabulous teen authors in it, in fact, many of the same who wrote in Zombies vs. Unicorns. So, if you liked that, you might like this. Even though it has a ridiculous name. The Eternal Kiss? Seriously?

Anyway. It was a really good book, but I liked The Poison Eaters by Holly Black and Strange Candy by Laurell K. Hamilton better, so if you like Pretty Monsters, you may want to read those also. Or, if you’re looking for something supernatural, but not chilling, or if you are more looking for some more lighthearted short stories, A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris, or for Potter fans, The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling. Some of the stories in Beedle were a little childish, of course, but personally, I was quite fond of “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart”.  For a little bit of creepy, a little bit of funny, and a whole lot of weird, there is nothing I would more recommend than Zombies vs. Unicorns. I did a review on it a while ago, and I don’t think I can do it justice. I think that the awesomeness of short stories and novellas is often underestimated. Short stories are charming, creepy, funny, whatever, and in anthologies with multiple authors, helpful for finding new favorite authors.

Speaking of authors. I love prolific authors, authors who have, arguably, the opposite problem as Kelly link. Authors who, some would say, have written “too many” books. But for series readers like myself, these authors are perfect. I love authors like Laurell K. Hamilton and Patricia Briggs who have written about a million books.

But seemingly, these two examples, who are, unfailingly, two of my favorite authors, Laurell K. Hamilton, however, residing first in my heart (though Patricia Briggs is getting there, now that I’ve read The Hob’s Bargain), have both fallen short in my estimation. Where. Are. My. SEQUELS?! Nightseer had gorgeous characters, an interesting plot, so much potential…and no sequel. In one of her Anthologies, Laurell K. Hamilton, even says that she had writtenm a sequel, but her publisher rejected it. But that was back in the day (Nightseer was her first book), and now she has more clout. The Hob’s Bargain was so good. I LOVED Caefawn, I loved the characters, and it felt to me like a series could have gone to fabulous places. Sigh. I know this sounds like a rant (and it is, of course) but there could be no greater recommendation, and, actually, of these two books, I enjoyed The Hob’s Bargain more, actually. But they were both awesome.

So read it, y’all. And check out the authors in it too. Seriously. You won’t regret it. Team Unicorn!!

Masques was set in a different world, but it felt like earth. I loved it, because she didn’t make a  big deal of it, or jar you out of the story with long extravagant excerpts about “in this world…” It reminded me of Nightseer, by Laurell K. Hamlton, somewhat. (Still, I am soi much in love with Laurell K. Hamilton and would like to take a moment to humbly beg that she write a sequel to Nightseer. Please.) The characters were charming, but not as deep as the Mercy Thompson books.

In all, a 7. Good, but not fabulous. I don’t know why I am addicted to Patricia Briggs. Maybe I just have an addictive nature. Say, does anyone have any recommendations? Please, I’m begging you.

I’ve got to say, the best parts of her stories are her characters. Gorgeous relationships between characters, and no character is really minor. For example Tad seems like a very “one time, plot convenience” sort of character, however, he comes back in many of the books. And she keeps Medea, the cat. Awesome. (Anita’s fish kind of faded by the fifth book; Bloody Bones, I think it was. Sorry, Laurell K. Hamilton reference. Again. Just read the books, and all will become clear.)

So, start with Moon Called, read the books, enjoy the books. Team Stefan! Though, Adam is okay, too, I’m just vampire biased. And Stefan is cool.

Out of ten, I would give Silver Borne an 8.5, and the series a 9. Patricia Briggs is excellent at tying up loose ends in her books, and nothing is minor or forgotten. All together, very good.

I tried out for, and got into, the Freshman-Sophmore production, Cyrano de Bergerac. I’m Montfleury. (they wouldn’t let girls be guy parts except for Montfleury. Sexist.) I joined community service club, and might join the GSA. I’m in Tea Ceremony club too.  I’ve been so busy, I feel like I’m just wearing myself into the ground. Ugh.

On the bright side, I read Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. She is truly an amazing author. Her writing is so gorgeous, though I must admit I preferred City of Bones and it’s sequels. I encourage you all to drop whatever you are reading and read her books. Please. For your own sake.