The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

 304 pages / 8 hrs, 50 mins

"Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better?

"In The Midnight Library, Matt Haig's enchanting blockbuster novel, Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of exchanging her life for a different one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist, she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place."  --from the publisher

It's an intriguing concept and well written. I thought the ending was a bit flat after all the adventure, but I still give it four out of five stars.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig-288 pages

At first I could not get in to it, then I did not want to put it down.  Reminded me a lot of "It's a Wonderful Life"!  Nora can't seem to climb out of her depression, convinced that no one would even notice if she was gone.  Full of regrets, she tries to commit suicide.  On the very day she decides to die she finds herself in a library full of lives that she could have lived. Eventually she is shown that there is more to life than she ever could have imagined.  Thought provoking and an easy read.  I enjoyed it very much. 

These Infinite Threads by Tahereh Mafi

 

These Infinite Threads (This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

"With the heat of a kiss, the walls between Alizeh, the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom, and Kamran, the crown prince of the Ardunian empire, have crumbled. And so have both of their lives. Kamran’s grandfather, the king of Ardunia, lays dead, the terrible secret of his deal with the devil exposed to the world. Cyrus, the mysterious copper-haired royal, has stolen Alizeh away to Tulan, the neighboring kingdom where he rules. Cyrus has made his own deal with the devil—one that would require Alizeh to betray her feelings for Kamran if she’s to reclaim the Jinn throne.

Alizeh wants nothing to do with Cyrus, or his deal with Iblees. But with no means of escaping Tulan, and with the tantalizing promise of fulfilling her destiny as the heir to the Jinn, she’s forced to wonder whether she can set aside her emotions—and finally become the queen her people need. Kamran, meanwhile, is picking up the pieces of his broken kingdom. Facing betrayal at every turn, all he knows for certain is that he must go to Tulan to avenge his grandfather. He can only hope that Alizeh will be waiting for him there—and that she’s not yet become queen of Tulan."--Goodreads blurb

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

 (Harry Potter #6)

652 pages / 18 hrs, 32 mins

"The war against Voldemort is not going well; even Muggle governments are noticing. Ron scans the obituary pages of the Daily Prophet, looking for familiar names. Dumbledore is absent from Hogwarts for long stretches of time, and the Order of the Phoenix has already suffered losses.

"And yet . . .

"As in all wars, life goes on. The Weasley twins expand their business. Sixth-year students learn to Apparate - and lose a few eyebrows in the process. Teenagers flirt and fight and fall in love. Classes are never straightforward, through Harry receives some extraordinary help from the mysterious Half-Blood Prince.

"So it's the home front that takes center stage in the multilayered sixth installment of the story of Harry Potter. Here at Hogwarts, Harry will search for the full and complete story of the boy who became Lord Voldemort - and thereby find what may be his only vulnerability."  --from the publisher

My second time through this one, and I'm surprised at how much I forgot. It is brimming over with background information. I think it is a brilliant, near-perfect story. I give it five out of five stars.

A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir

A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir, 516 p.

"Picking up just a few months after A Reaper at the Gates left off...

The long-imprisoned jinn are on the attack, wreaking bloody havoc in villages and cities alike. But for the Nightbringer, vengeance on his human foes is just the beginning.

At his side, Commandant Keris Veturia declares herself Empress, and calls for the heads of any and all who defy her rule. At the top of the list? The Blood Shrike and her remaining family.

Laia of Serra, now allied with the Blood Shrike, struggles to recover from the loss of the two people most important to her. Determined to stop the approaching apocalypse, she throws herself into the destruction of the Nightbringer. In the process, she awakens an ancient power that could lead her to victory--or to an unimaginable doom.

And deep in the Waiting Place, the Soul Catcher seeks only to forget the life--and love--he left behind. Yet doing so means ignoring the trail of murder left by the Nightbringer and his jinn. To uphold his oath and protect the human world from the supernatural, the Soul Catcher must look beyond the borders of his own land. He must take on a mission that could save--or destroy--all that he knows. "--Goodreads blurb

This was a decent close of the story. Again, I thought there was a lot of plot leaps that could have used a bit more development. I wasn't a fan of the twist on the love triangle in this series, but this series was worth the read. 
 

A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir, 458 p.

"Helene Aquilla, the Blood Shrike, is desperate to protect her sister's life and the lives of everyone in the Empire. Yet danger lurks on all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable and violent, while Keris Veturia, the ruthless Commandant, capitalizes on the Emperor's volatility to grow her own power—regardless of the carnage she leaves in her path.

Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows that the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. During the hunt to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would help her, and is drawn into a battle she never thought she'd have to fight.

And in the land between the living and the dead, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as Soul Catcher. However, in doing so, he has vowed himself to an ancient power that demands his complete surrender—even if that means abandoning the woman he loves."--Goodreads blurb

This one suffered from the sophomore slump a bit, but it was still a good story. It wasn't the writing, necessarily, that made me not enjoy it as much as the first, but the decisions of the characters. I thought the plot took leaps without enough development. I liked having Helene have her own voice in this story and am looking forward to finishing out the series. 

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir, 452 p.

"Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.

Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.

But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene—Elias’s former friend and the Empire’s newest Blood Shrike.

Bound to Marcus’s will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own—one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape…and kill them both."--Goodreads blurb 

This was a re-read for me so I could finish the series. There was good world-building, story development, and character development in this first installment of the series. It left me wanting to pick up the second one to get more of the story. 
 

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

 (Harry Potter #2)

341 pages / 9 hrs, 24 mins

"Ever since Harry Potter had come home for the summer, the Dursleys had been so mean and hideous that all Harry wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he’s packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange impish creature who says that if Harry returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.

"And strike it does. For in Harry’s second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor and a spirit who haunts the girls’ bathroom. But then the real trouble begins – someone is turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possible be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects… Harry Potter himself!"  --from the publisher

The second book did not disappoint on a re-reading, either. I thoroughly enjoyed the tale and seeing the characters develop.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

 (Harry Potter #1)

309 pages / 8 hrs, 33 mins

"Harry Potter's life is miserable. His parents are dead and he's stuck with his heartless relatives, who force him to live in a tiny closet under the stairs. But his fortune changes when he receives a letter that tells him the truth about himself: he's a wizard. A mysterious visitor rescues him from his relatives and takes him to his new home, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"After a lifetime of bottling up his magical powers, Harry finally feels like a normal kid. But even within the Wizarding community, he is special. He is the boy who lived: the only person to have ever survived a killing curse inflicted by the evil Lord Voldemort, who launched a brutal takeover of the Wizarding world, only to vanish after failing to kill Harry.

"Though Harry's first year at Hogwarts is the best of his life, not everything is perfect. There is a dangerous secret object hidden within the castle walls, and Harry believes it's his responsibility to prevent it from falling into evil hands. But doing so will bring him into contact with forces more terrifying than he ever could have imagined." --from the publisher

I'm re-reading the series for the first time. I think I enjoyed the first book better this time around because I know what's coming. 

Blood Heir by Amélie Wen Zhao

Blood Heir (Blood Heir trilogy) by Amelie Weh Zhao, 446 p.

"In the Cyrilian Empire, Affinites are reviled. Their varied gifts to control the world around them are deemed unnatural--even dangerous. And Anastacya Mikhailov, the crown princess, is one of the most terrifying Affinites.

Ana's ability to control blood has long been kept secret, but when her father, the emperor, is murdered, she is the only suspect. Now, to save her own life, Ana must find her father's killer. But the Cyrilia beyond the palace walls is one where corruption rules and a greater conspiracy is at work--one that threatens the very balance of Ana's world. There is only one person corrupt enough to help Ana get to the conspiracy's core: Ramson Quicktongue. Ramson is a cunning crime lord with sinister plans--though he might have met his match in Ana. Because in this story, the princess might be the most dangerous player of all."--Goodreads blurb

This was a good start to a series, though the plot was full of the usual fantasy tropes. The magic was interesting, and the politics at play were interesting. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

 (Harry Potter #7)

759 pages / 21 hrs, 37 mins

"Harry Potter is leaving Privet Drive for the last time. But as he climbs into the sidecar of Hagrid’s motorbike and they take to the skies, he knows Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters will not be far behind.

"The protective charm that has kept him safe until now is broken. But the Dark Lord is breathing fear into everything he loves. And he knows he can’t keep hiding.

"To stop Voldemort, Harry knows he must find the remaining Horcruxes and destroy them.

"He will have to face his enemy in one final battle."  --from the publisher

Wow! What an ending! I'm not sure I understood Dumbledore's explanation; some things are better in print than audio. I plan to get a print copy and go over it again. Rowling is an incredibly talented writer.

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer - 178 pages

Bree Tanner is a newborn in a coven of other very young vampires.  She and her counterparts were created for a purpose that none of them but their leaders know.  Bree starts to learn the truth and eventually, everything comes to light.

This is a novella that goes with Meyer's Eclipse.  Bree is the vampire that surrenders herself to the Cullen clan during the big battle with Victoria's newborn vampire army in Eclipse.

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer - 672 pages

Midnight Sun is a companion novel to Twilight because it is a retelling of the main events of the original - but this time through Edward's eyes.  

Bella Swan moves from Arizona to Forks, WA, and completely unnerves and intrigues Edward upon her arrival.  His "vegetarian" vampire way of life is threatened because Bella has the most appealing smelling blood that Edward has ever experienced.  Instead of being scared, Bella embraces the danger of her newly discovered love interest, Edward.

It was interesting to read an old favorite from my adolescence through a different character's viewpoint.  It was more creepy at times than romantic, but I still enjoyed rereading the story as an adult.

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer - 768 pages

Book 4 of the Twilight Saga

Bella and Edward get married and soon after their honeymoon, discover that Bella is pregnant.  Except she's still human and her baby is growing at a rapid rate.  She willingly risks her human life for the vampire immortality she has been seeking all along.

We also get Jacob's perspective in this book.  He is coming to terms with the fact that Bella didn't choose him.  His wolfpack learns of Bella's half-vampire fetus and plans to kill Bella and her unborn.  Jacob becomes very protective over Bella and leaves his pack to start his own.

I always thought that this was a weird way to end these novels, with Bella almost dying to give birth to a half-vampire daughter and becoming immortal in the process; Jacob imprinting and declaring a newborn baby his soulmate...

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer - 640 pages

Book 3 of the Twilight Saga

Bella once again finds herself in danger.  Alice Cullen has a vision that Victoria, the vengeful vampiress from prior books, will come kill Bella.  Despite the threat of death, Bella finds herself within a love triangle between Edward, her vampire love interest, and Jacob, her werewolf best friend.  Eventually, the Cullens discover there is an army of new-born vampires being controlled by Victoria, and the Cullens then ally with the werewolves to defeat the vampire army.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer - 608 pages

Book 2 of the Twilight Saga

Bella and Edward's relationship is having issues, especially after certain incidents, leaving Edward to come to the realization that their vampire-human romance isn't safe for Bella.  Edward disappears, leaving Bella to deal with their "break-up."  She is heart-broken and depressed, but her old friend Jacob, comes to her rescue to try to help her heal.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - 544 pages

Book 1 of the Twilight Saga

The reading challenge for November has inspired me to re-read the Twilight saga, especially because I've been wanting to read Stephanie Meyer's new book, Midnight Sun.

Bella Swan moves to rainy Forks, WA from Arizona, to live with her father after her mother remarries and moves to Florida.  Forks seems to be a relatively boring and average town where nothing ever happens.  After meeting a mysterious classmate, Edward Cullen, Bella quickly learns that Forks might be more interesting than she initially believed.  She soon discovers that Edward and his family are secret vampires.

Crucible by Mercedes Lackey

Crucible by Mercedes Lackey  342 pages

The voices of other authors add their own special touches to the ancient land where Heralds "Chosen" from all walks of life by magical horse-like Companions patrol their ancient kingdom, dispensing justice, facing adversaries, and protecting their monarch and country from whatever threatens. Trained rigorously by the Herald's Collegium, these special protectors each have extraordinary Gifts: Mindspeaking, FarSeeing, FarSpeaking, Empathy, Firestarting and ForeSeeing, and are bonded for life with their mysterious Companions. Travel with these astounding adventurers in these original stories.

Arrow's Fall by Mercedes Lackey

Arrow's Fall by Mercedes Lackey  319 pages

With Elspeth, the heir to the throne of Valdemar, come of marriageable age, Talia, the Queen's Own Herald returns to court to find Queen and heir beset by diplomatic intrigue as various forces vie for control of Elspeth's future.

But just as Talia is about to uncover the traitor behind all these intrigues, she is sent off on a mission to the neighboring kingdom, chosen by the Queen to investigate the worth of a marriage proposal from Prince Ancar.

Arrow's Flight by Mercedes Lackey

Arrow's Flight by Mercedes Lackey  318 pages

Set in the medieval fantasy kingdom of Valdemar, this unique and exciting novel continues the story of Talia. Having mastered the powers necessary to a guardian of the kingdom, she faces the final preparation for her initiation as adviser and protector of the Queen.