Night World #3: Huntress; Black Dawn; Witchlight by L.J. Smith

Description: Vampires, werewolves, witches, shapeshifters -- they live among us without our knowledge. Night World is their secret society, a secret society with very strict rules. And falling in love breaks all the laws of the Night World.

The apocalypse is drawing near. But four Wild Powers can save the world from the impending doom. Circle Daybreak, an underground organization with both Night World and human members, is searching for the four who can stop the darkness.

A vampire hunter -- who is half vampire -- stalks her own kind to protect humans in Huntress.

In Black Dawn, Maggie stumbles upon an old Night World kingdom where the ruling vampire prince is both an enemy and an ally.

And Circle Daybreak hires Keller, a shapeshifting panther, to guard a new Wild Power in Witchlight. But when Keller falls in love with the Wild Power’s soulmate, her love could destroy everything….

Review:

The third omnibus edition of L.J. Smith’s Night World collects the books Huntress, Black Dawn, and Witchlight. Each highlights a heroine who is incredibly different from the others, but is also incredibly strong in her own individual way. Jez is a half-vampire who, after learning about her human side, decides to hunt vampires, a truth she can’t let her old vampire gang know when she’s forced to face them again, not unless she wants the whole human world to crumble. Maggie is kidnapped and taken to a hidden Night World kingdom where she’s expected to be a slave -- and, when she tries to escape, expected to look out for no one but herself, but attempts to help the other slaves anyway, despite it risking her own life. Keller, a shapeshifter, must look after a girl who could ultimately help save the world, but doing so means she must also give up the love of her life because if she doesn’t, it could solidify the rift between witches and the other shapeshifters forever.

Each of these books are addictive reads that kept me up late flipping through chapter after chapter, desperate to see what happens next. Although they easily stand on their own, they’re a perfect trio to be collected together, for they all focus, in some way, on obtaining the Wild Powers -- people who possess the ability of blue fire, an ability that will determine the very fate of our world upon the arrival of the apocalypse. My main quibble is the soulmate principle, a phenomenon where people meet their destined loves and become instantly connected. While the relationships eventually win me over, most initially feel like a convenient way to establish connections and conflict that normally wouldn’t be there so soon. (Luckily, these romances do prove themselves later on, so I am able to tolerate this shortcoming.) Also, in Huntress, I just couldn’t wrap my mind around why Jez would suddenly start hunting vampires. I can understand why she’d want to stop hunting humans after learning her mom was one, but she is half-vampire still. Turning on her own kind (er, half kind?) like that seems hypocritical on her part. Other than that, this third collection of Night World books is as action-packed as it is romantic, filled with enough thrills to keep you on your toes, and filled with even more thrilling characters that will keep you cheering them on until the inevitable end -- of the book, that is. The end of the world won’t be an issue until the next Night World book, Strange Fate, and I, for one, can’t wait.



Page To Screen: The Vampire Diaries -- "Haunted"; "162 Candles"; "History Repeating"; "The Turning Point"

Episode Review: Vickie is a vampire. Stefan turns 162 years old. Bonnie possesses an amulet that Damon desperately wants -- and gets possessed herself. A new history teacher finally replaces Mr. Tanner, but he is much more aware of what’s going bump in the night in Mystic Falls than he had been. And Elena, at long last, learns that Stefan’s ex Katherine looks exactly like her.

That’s only a small sampling of the plotlines that the latest batch of Vampire Diaries episodes have dished out. Just ten episodes have aired, yet this show is already taking risks that more seasoned shows would covet. The most recent four are especially addictive. Not only are all the characters becoming further fleshed out, but their individual relationships and plotlines, some veering in directions that are as shocking as they are compelling. The Vampire Diaries is growing increasingly complex, while at the same time maintaining a suspenseful pace that prevents it all from seeming convoluted. That, plus the killer cliffhangers, more than guarantee unwavering loyalty in the show. I’m antsy with anticipation for the next episode -- which, sadly, won’t be till January 21. If that episode’s quality meets that of these four, then the wait will definitely be worth it.

Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis

Description: Moonlight can totally change your life. And it all starts so simply. You. Him. The moon. You’re toast.

Okay, so maybe Shelby has made a few mistakes with boys lately (how was she supposed to know Wes had “borrowed” that Porsche?). But her step-mother totally overreacts when she catches Shelby in a post-curfew kiss with a hot senior. Suddenly Shelby’s summer plans are on the shelf, and she’s being packed off to brat camp. It’s good-bye, prom dress; hello, hiking boots.

Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star) Austin Bridges, III. But soon she realizes there’s more to Austin than crush material -- his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby’s help guarding it. Shelby knows that she really shouldn’t be getting tangled up with another bad boy…but who is she to turn her back on a guy in need, especially such a good looking one? One thing’s for sure, that pesky full moon is about to get her into trouble all over again.

Review:

To say paranormal romances are popular, especially in the YA genre, is a major understatement. To say paranormal romances involving werewolves are popular will soon be, too, now that other creatures are attempting to shove vampires out of the spotlight. Heather Davis’s Never Cry Werewolf offers something sweeter than the norm, though. Shelby’s life hasn’t been easy since the stereotypical evil stepmother entered it. After one too many entanglements with bad boys, Shelby finds herself spending summer not at Cabo, but Camp Crescent, a boot camp where she can learn some discipline while finally getting out of her stepmother’s hair. Camp Crescent seems much less dreadful, though, when she meets Austin, the cute and mysterious camper who just happens to be the son of a rock star…and, as Shelby later discovers, a werewolf.

With a breezy narrative fans of Meg Cabot and Jennifer Lynn Barnes should appreciate, Never Cry Werewolf is a page-turner despite lacking many surprises. Although it’s lacking surprises, it doesn’t lack sweetness. You can’t help but root for Shelby and Austin as they develop a possibly-something-more friendship, as well as a trust that is hard for them to find with most others at camp. However, Shelby’s relationship with Austin and her attempt to help him are almost secondary to what Shelby is personally going through. She has grown distant with her family, and she’s so concerned about helping others, she often forgets to worry about herself, and that is only detrimental at best. Her coming to grips with these issues grounds the story enough for everyone to relate to it in some way, despite the fact that this is, on the surface, a supernatural tale.

Although much of this book should be applauded, a few aspects were a bit more on the irksome side. I loved how Shelby didn’t outright believe Austin was a werewolf -- however, I did have some quibbles with the scene where she does become convinced. (While what she’d seen Austin doing wasn’t natural, that doesn’t automatically mean it’s supernatural. Our world has its fair share of crazies, after all.) Also, the werewolf allusions had a tendency to feel too on the nose, which got tiring. (Such as the boot camp being called Camp Crescent and Shelby commenting how she’s being “thrown to the wolves,” just to name a few.) The irksome parts of the book were few and far between, though, and didn’t distract from the overall book.

As a whole, Never Cry Werewolf is a fun, lighthearted fantasy sprinkled with romance and an intriguing take on werewolf mythos. This book can easily stand on its own, but I desperately hope a sequel will be joining it -- not just because the end made me suspect a potential plot development, but because I adore the characters enough to want to experience another adventure with them. Those tired of the countless books that emphasize either the gritty or tear-jerking side of fantasy should find Never Cry Werewolf a refreshing deviation from that norm.

Captivate by Carrie Jones

Description: Zara and her friends knew they hadn’t solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king’s needs grow deeper every day he’s stuck in captivity, while his control over his pixies gets weaker. So when a new, younger pixie king shows up, war is imminent. The new king, Astley, claims he’s not evil, that his pixies can coexist peacefully with humans and weres. Zara’s boyfriend, Nick, isn’t buying it; no pixie could possibly be a good guy. But Zara is half pixie herself, and she is just starting to think Astley could be right when Astley lets her in on another secret: he believes Zara’s relationship with Nick is about to come to an end -- and that she is fated to be his queen….

With the delicious teen voice that fans have overwhelmingly embraced, Carrie Jones has crafted a follow-up novel that is full of surprising twists and heart-wrenching turns that will keep readers hungry for more.

Review:

Carrie Jones’ YA fantasy Captivate is -- if you’ll forgive the pun -- captivating. Although Zara and her friends managed to take care of the resident pixies back in Need, they’re struggling to keep them from becoming a problem again in the sequel. The longer they’re held captive, the more they need to feed. Zara isn’t even sure that the pixies should be held in captivity anymore -- just because they’re not human doesn’t mean they all deserve to be treated inhumanly. Her doubts only grow when another pixie king comes to Maine, looking to take over both the territory and Zara. He insists not all pixies are evil, a claim Zara can’t completely ignore since she’s half-pixie herself. If this pixie king has his way, she won’t merely be half a pixie for long.

Captivate is full of all the things that made the first book in this series so great: quirky characters, a suspenseful plot, and a refreshingly original mythology that all tie together to create a thoroughly engaging fantasy. The pixies are even more menacing this time around, now that others are infiltrating Maine after the captivity of the original batch in Need. Such captivity is proving to be less stable than anticipated, a truth that makes this uphill battle against their kind even more grueling. Some of them -- like the new pixie king Astley -- don’t even automatically come off as bad, adding an extra edge of uneasiness. It also digs up some moral dilemmas for Zara, her interest in human rights making her contemplate pixie rights -- although it’s hard to trust the pixies, it’s great to see a fantasy book tackle these kinds of issues.

Another welcomed addition is the expanded mythology. Once focused mainly on the pixies and the weres who fight them, it gets fleshed out further with new figures that are as ominous as they are legendary. If fighting off pixies seems impossible, then it’s probably best to steer clear of these beings -- unfortunately for Zara and her friends, doing such is an impossibility in itself.

Ah, Zara and her friends. As thrilling as the plot and world building is, these characters are the true heart of the novel. Not only do they authentically feel like teenagers, but they each have their own quirks that individualize them while, at the same time, make them instantly relatable. It’s difficult not to care for them. As a result, it’s difficult not to get emotional with them when the characters suffer through the surprising twists and turns throughout Captivate. Zara’s rasher decisions are even forgivable, not to mention understandable, since such emotion is easily invoked in the reader. As the title suggests, you’ll be captivated -- you’ll also be left begging for more when the last page is finally flipped to. If you’re a fan of Need, or even fantasy in general, then Captivate is a novel you need to check out as soon as possible.

You Can Never Go Home Again by Dyan Sheldon

Description: When Angel’s parents split up, she’s forced to move to a ramshackle cottage that’s a total comedown from the upscale home she grew up in. Far from her popular crowd -- and her boyfriend -- Angel thinks life couldn’t get much worse. Then she meets B.J., a smartmouthed biker with big, soulful eyes. The only reason B.J.’s not the greaser from hell is that he hasn’t been able to get that far. Instead, he’s been perfecting his bad attitude since 1959 -- when he died and his ghost took up residence in the attic of Angel’s new house.

She can’t kiss him because she hates his guts, and she can’t kill him because he’s already dead. Angel thinks she needs B.J. like she needs a hole in the head, but she’s wrong. B.J. might be able to help Angel -- if only she’ll let him.

Review:

Angel hates her life -- her new one, at least. Before, she lived in a big house in a ritzy neighborhood, her circle of friends just as elite. But now, thanks to her parents’ divorce, Angel has been uprooted from that life, forced to live in a small house in a nowhere neighborhood where she’s a friendless outsider. When Angel discovers a sealed-off attic in her new home (which is much bigger than her shoebox of a bedroom), she can’t wait to refurbish it into a haven from the rest of her life.

B.J. has no life. That’s because he’s been dead since 1959, haunting the home Angel’s family just moved into. They’re the first family he hasn’t been able to spook off, and when Angel starts planning to move into the attic, he becomes even more determined to do so. That attic was (and, as far as he’s concerned, still is) his bedroom, so no way will he let some spoiled princess like Angel invade it.

Dyan Sheldon’s You Can Never Go Home Again is an addicting YA paranormal deeply rooted in the everyday grudges of life. Although B.J., the ghostly greaser, and Angel, the spoiled trendsetter, easily butt heads with their conflicting personalities, they share many similar issues. They each suffer from loneliness due to uncontrollable changes and must find a way to overcome their stubbornness to cope with it. This is a book that doesn’t rely on convoluted, life-or-death plots, but instead common struggles that everyone faces, the supernatural elements more of an afterthought. It is for this reason that You Can Never Go Home Again is so appealing, and why I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel, Save The Last Dance For Me, as soon as possible.

Bogus To Bubbly: An Insider’s Guide To The World Of Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Description: The world of Uglies, set in our not-so-distant future, is a complex place filled with bubbly technology and lingo, yet bogus rules about status and appearance. That’s why a guide to the world of uglies has been requisitioned from the hole in the wall. Inside you’ll find:

--> A rundown on all the cliques, from Crims and Cutters to tech-heads and surge-monkeys

--> The complete history, starting with the destruction of the oil bug to the launch of Extras in space

--> How all those awesome gadgets came to be: hoverboards, eyescreens, skintennas, sneak suits…

--> PLUS an exclusive look at Scott Westerfeld’s first draft of Extras -- starring Hiro, not Aya.

And so much more, it’s mind-wrecking.

Review:

If you’re a fan of Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies series, then his guide to those books is a must-read. In Bogus to Bubbly, not only do you get an in-depth look at the world Tally lives in, but the author’s construction of it. As a result, this book enjoyably breaks the fourth wall by having descriptions of how to use a hoverboard (of which that section looks very much like a real-life manual) mixed in with explanations of how Scott came up with such gadgets. The history, slang, and characters of the world, amongst other tidbits, are also delved into. (Diabetics like myself will probably be especially fascinated by the sub-section on flash tattoos.) Another extra is a snippet from an early draft of Extras (pun totally intended). It is from the perspective of Hiro instead of Aya -- and, sadly, it’s a more interesting perspective. (Although other readers may disagree.) Overall, Bogus to Bubbly is a very comprehensive guide that leaves readers feeling like they not only understand the Uglies world more, but Scott Westerfeld’s creative process as well. Even the more casual fans of the Uglies series would be crazy not to check this out.

Page To Screen: The Vampires Diaries -- “Family Ties”; “You’re Undead To Me”; and “Lost Girls” (Adaptation Review)

Psst...I know book spoilers.

The past few episodes of The Vampire Diaries have been consistent when it comes to the adaptation of the books: not quite right, but not entirely despicable, either. One plotline I simultaneously love and loathe is Elena discovering Stefan’s vampireness. I’m glad that it made her freak out and that, despite that, she trusted Stefan enough to hear him out. I am not glad that she discovered Stefan’s secret by searching through digital archives. Not only did that mirror Twilight a little too much for me, but it diminished the epic feel that the book version had when Elena literally caught him feeding. Also, I’m torn about Elena dumping Stefan. It was a great emotional ender for the latest episode and makes me wonder how Stefan will manage to win her back. However, Book!Elena would have never done that. She loved Stefan too much, and, once she felt certain that he wouldn’t hurt her, would never fathom leaving his side. Then again, TV!Elena didn’t have to struggle to get Stefan, so it makes sense for the show that she doesn’t have the same fire to keep him around.

My favorite adapted plotline in these recent episodes has been Katherine. When Stefan was describing her to Elena in “You’re Undead To Me,” each detail made me nod excitedly because they nailed exactly who Katherine was. Then, in “Lost Girls,” when viewers actually got to glimpse Katherine in flashbacks, I became even more excited. Although the setting and timeline is different from the books, Katherine is not. She is the same selfish, playful tease I remember reading about, stringing around both Salvatore brothers effortlessly around her finger.

Other highlights: Stefan mentioning how he and Damon are descended from Italy. Although they are no longer Italian, it was nice to have that particular heritage of theirs acknowledged. Also, I may have squeed when Damon killed Zach. He never ceased to feel like an awkward addition to me. (And, okay, maybe I am still a little bitter at how he replaced Mrs. Flowers….) And who would I be if I didn’t bring up the mythology? I’m impressed with how exact the show has kept it so far, whether it involves vervain, lapis lazuli, or transforming into a vampire. Speaking of the latter…

Vickie. I’m disappointed that she didn’t have any more Going! Crazy! moments. There’s no hope of her having any more in the future, either, for Damon has turned her into a vampire. This twist shocked me. Her fate is going to be wildly different from the books now, and while I’m disappointed, I’m also intrigued. It works for the show, and I’m interested in seeing how this will affect the dynamic between Vickie and the other characters.

The show has taken many other liberties in the adaptation as well. Bonnie, while psychic in the books, had never developed pyrokinesis, so it’ll be interesting to see exactly how the show will further deal with her character and powers. Also, the Damon/Caroline relationship was darkly fascinating even though, in the first four books, I can’t even remember that pair ever speaking to each other. Another plotline that is extremely different (but extremely interesting) from the books is how some people in the town are in the know about vampires. I think this will serve the show well and help sustain it as a series (and gives us book fans twists that will entertain but not irritate us). This odd blend of change and familiarity makes the show a bit challenging to watch sometimes, but it’s a blend that, for the most part, is working. After six episodes, it’s blatantly clear that this adaptation isn’t fully faithful, but so far it has kept the heart of the books enough not to make me have a brainplosion every time I watch the show, and that’s good enough for me.

Page To Screen: The Vampire Diaries -- “You’re Undead To Me” and “Lost Girls” (Episode Review)

The past two episodes of The Vampire Diaries have catapulted the show into darker, more thrilling directions. In “You’re Undead To Me,” Elena grows more suspicious of Stefan, even though her ex-boyfriend admits that he seems like a nice guy; Stefan even makes an effort to divulge more about himself to her, of which some details are not for the faint of heart. (He actually likes a Miley Cyrus song.) Something still seems off about Stefan, though, and after an older man claims to have known him in the fifties, Elena takes it upon herself to figure out what that offness is.

Unfortunately, that offness isn’t that Stefan likes all Miley Cyrus songs and is the president of her fan club. He’s a vampire, and that discovery fuels Elena to confront him, as well as fuels the plot of the next episode, “Lost Girls.” She demands to know for certain from him about what he is, and once she gets that confirmation, she is even more wigged out than she was before. Understanding, Stefan begs her to hear him out before dumping him and/or telling others his secret. Too bad his brother Damon is wreaking more havoc than before, and those already in the know are out on a vampire hunt, muddling up this already nerve-wracking conversation between him and Elena….

With Elena now aware about vampires, that plot turn paired with other equally exciting ones, it’s promising that The Vampires Diaries will deliver even more thrills and addictive twists in future episodes. Since this show only seems to get better and better as the weeks go by, that’s a promise that surely won’t be broken.

Page To Screen: The Vampire Diaries -- "Family Ties" (Part 1)

Episode Review: Reading Twilight, Damon just can’t get inside Bella’s head -- he can, however, get inside his brother’s, forcing Stefan to have nightmares about Damon killing Elena. This is only one in many ways Damon is more powerful than him, thanks to his human blood diet. Since Stefan refuses to participate in Damon’s behavior, he is unable to match his power -- but he can weaken it, with enough vervain and stealth….

In “Family Ties,” the episode’s namesake is brought to the forefront with the various families residing in Mystic Falls. Stefan and Damon’s rivalry, of course, persists, causing Elena to question Stefan in hopes of learning anything about his mysterious life. More tension is added to Elena and Jeremy’s sibling relationship when they squabble about Elena lending antiques of their parents for the town's annual Founder's party. Viewers even get to meet Tyler’s parents, of whom his father is the mayor, as well as Caroline’s mom, the sheriff. They, along with another new character named Logan Fell, have ties so deeply-rooted in Mystic Falls that they know the recent killings are not caused by some mere animal. Exactly how much they know isn’t certain, but it is certain that the latest episode of The Vampire Diaries was a satisfying addition to the series, promising an even darker, more thrilling continuation as the season progresses.

Page To Screen: The Vampire Diaries -- "Friday Night Bites" (Part 2)

I predict death...and book spoilers.

Adaptation Review: Since the start of the TV series, I was wondering how Stefan would end up on the football team. His original motive for joining was to better avoid Elena, and since he’s clearly not avoiding her on the show, I feel that the producers have solved this problem in a believable way. I’m also glad that, by being a part of it, Stefan has a chance of developing a friendship with Matt, which was one of the many aspects I loved from the books. Viewers even got to see Tyler outside of the triangle he has with Vickie and Jeremy, his dicky behavior evident both with Stefan and on the field, mirroring the book version’s personality to a T.

Another aspect to be applauded is the relationship between Stefan and Damon. It continues to be the strongest echo from the books, and now that Katherine is being brought up more and more, this adaptation will only grow stronger. Their rivalry over Katherine and now Elena is a treat to see on-screen, especially now that Damon’s feelings toward both girls are gradually being shown in a less vicious light. Stefan giving Elena a necklace filled with vervain to better protect her from Damon’s advances was also gratifying to see added, although I’ll miss him and Matt road-tripping for the herb.

Not everything about the adaptation in this episode can be applauded, though. One I’m perturbed about includes Mr. Tanner’s death. In the books, it had been simplistic but ominously creepy, only to be interpreted as another pouncey neck-gutting on the show. His death in the books had also led to Stefan being accused of murder, one of the many plotlines that had helped make this book series stand out from other vampirey ones. While it’s still possible that that plotline could unfold, it’s harder for me to conceive it happening.

Another aspect I’m greatly disappointed by is how Damon was able to enter Elena’s bedroom. Yes, he’d been invited into the house, but because, in the books, her room was one of the few areas of it not rebuilt, Damon needed yet another invitation. It was her choice to let him in, a choice not made out of ignorance, but with full knowledge over what Damon could do to her. That scene had left a big impression when reading it, and I’m saddened that I won’t get to have a similar impression visually.

Nevertheless, Stefan mentioning Celtic Druids while talking to Bonnie is almost enough to make me forget those less-satisfying adaptations as I go on squeeing at that shout-out to us book fans.