Aislinn has had the Sight all her life, and it’s always been something she’s feared. But when the glowing Keenan approaches her, in full glamour, in a place most faeries can't enter, her fear achieves a whole new level. Overhearing the deathly-looking girl outside tell her to run while she can didn't do much to help either, since she wasn't supposed to be able to hear it anyway. When the fey start treading ground on her safe places, following her, showing up at school, at the train yard, leaving her no safe haven, she knows she can’t take it any more. Her Grams, always protective, is going to lock her in the house at the rate things are progressing, but she can’t hide the truth forever either. Still, she’s determined to try it her own way first.

While originally repulsed by Keenan when he first approached her, she was also inexplicably drawn to him, and it’s become clear he isn’t going to go away. Inside school or out, he’s a constant presence, and the effort to ignore him, not to touch him, is becoming too much. Time to change the rules a little. Try it a new way. Try playing friendly and find out what they want. So long as her Sight stays hidden, she can even spy for herself, eavesdropping on invisible faeries who assume they can’t be seen or heard.

Unable to go it alone, Aislinn has confided in Seth. Afraid she'd lose him, that he wouldn't be able to believe her, she was much relieved when he took the news in stride. Still newly aware of this other world, Seth, her best friend (and more if she were to be honest with herself) is not entirely keen on her plan, but agrees to go along. So long as part of the plan is attempting to get him the Sight as well, so he can better assist.

Unfortunately, as well as Ash’s plan works, or seems to, it also changes everything. While pretending to give Keenan what he wants, she is giving him what he wants. From the moment she was chosen, her mortality began to slip away, and after a night of fey revelry and good, she can no longer pretend she doesn’t see it. How she’s becoming like him.

Desperate to find a way to undo it, Ash turns to Donia, the Winter Girl, hoping for an answer she knows doesn’t exist. And Donia can only confirm her worst fears. She has only two choices. Summer Girl, or Summer Queen. And she’s begun to feel it. She knows she’s her. So how to coexist? How to be what Keenan needs, and not lose everything she loves?

The stakes grow even more dire when the Winter Queen takes Seth captive. When Ash learns that her mother had also been chosen by Keenan, and rather than face the choice, made an even more drastic decision. A decision she knows won’t save her. All she can do is accept who she is, and make the best of it. Do what no girl before has. Meet Keenan half way. Bring her own demands to the table. As a job, Summer Queen seems feasible. Overwhelming, but potentially even fun.

This is a really interesting new twist on the Faery Tale, and I really enjoyed reading it, even with all the heart-wrenching, not knowing what would become of Aislinn and Seth when all was said and done. Highly recommended.­

For those new to Stephenie Meyer and the Twilight series, this is definitely not the book to start with--you'll get lost. For those who've been waiting on the edge of their seats to get their hands on this one: you're going to be pleased. And also wanting the next one. I checked---it's tentatively due out next fall.

Life in Forks is speeding right along, Graduation Day looming ever closer, even if its reality is at the same time not quite sinking in. Bella, not a fan of her house arrest grounding, spends her days in school with Edward, afternoons antsy and awaiting visiting hours, suffers through Charlie's impoliteness for said hours, then heads off to bed where she can be alone with her dream boy, with Charlie in the dark. But even with the secret visits, Bella is ecstatic when she finds out she's getting a reprieve. On the condition that she try to spend more time other people. No problem. Except for Jacob.

After the conversation where he told her he couldn't see her anymore, Bella and Jake haven't spoken. And his last note wasn't all that promising. But she tells Charlie she'll try. And even when it turns out she can see Jake...there's a whole new set of obstacles to deal with. Like his feelings for her. And his feelings for Edward, and vice versa. All in all a sticky situation, though the trio manages to find some compromise.

Bella, still set on becoming a vampire after graduation, has a lot on her mind. Like how her best friend will most likely never speak to her again, and how Edward wants to be married first. And then there's the matter of Victoria still hunting her. And the spree of murders going on in Seattle that seems to point to a bunch of newborns running amok.

There's never a dull moment in this installment, that's for sure. Don't expect to be putting it down often. I for one couldn't sleep last night til I had turned the last page...even if it did leave me wanting another page to turn.

Continuing to be one of the greatest love stories I've ever encountered, Eclipse has further solidified Meyer as a favorite author (and excellent writer), Edward as my favorite vampire, and I can't wait to see what's next.

Prom Nights From Hell: Paranormal stories by five extraordinary authors

Reviewed in starred order:

Madison Avery and the Dim Reaper (5 stars)

by Kim Harrison

"Fantabulous. He's a psycho. I left prom with a knife-wielding psycho. Can I pick 'em or what?" Taken before her "coin was flipped," Madison blames the R.E.A.P.E.R. squad for the screw-up which has left her body in limbo. But what can you do other than swear "Son of a dead puppy," and let the powers that be sort out this mess. Very creative plot; I wish this short story was a lengthy YA novel. Hmmm, maybe I should find that corsage.

Kiss and Tell (4 stars)

by Michele Jaffe

"Foxy girls know that silence may be golden - but only for 4 seconds." So says How to Get - And Kiss - Your Guy, the self-help book Miranda Kiss purchased to hook her crush. During her limo pickup, Miranda receives more than "live in the mo'" boy adivce offered by young Sibby Cumean. This teen package comes with spunk, attitude, oracle tellings, and men with guns. Good thing Miranda has unexplained superpowers and a thing for helping out the good guy. Filled with light adventure and playful teenspeak, this short story is a must read for boy-crazy girls.

Mary is hunting Sebastian Drake, the son of Dracula, so it's understandable that she's aiming an Excalibur Vixen crossbow 285 FPS with a twenty-inch long Easton XX75 (the tip, formerly gold, now replaced with hand-carved ash) where Sebastian's heart would've been if he were human. And if her aim is successful, she'd not only save her best friend who is under the vampire's thrall from certain fate, but the outcome might make Dracula peeved enough to reveal himself. Mary isn't alone in her quest; her father is a mad-scientist seeking a cure for vampirism and she's found a sidekick in falling for her bestfriend's-ex-boyfriend's-friend. Now all she has to do is steady her aim.

What if James Patterson's new book had his name printed in large font on his book cover (oh, wait he already does this) and a ONE sentence summary of the plot on the book jacket? As far as fame is concerned, Laurie Halse Anderson is the James Patterson in the field of young adult literature and here follows the bookflap's summary: "Everybody told me to be a man. Nobody told me how." Ok, technically it's two sentences (just insert the word "but" and it's one). When helping teens find books, they usually ask "So, what's it about?" What if I hadn't read this book? *dripping with sarcasm* Well, I could open it's cover and tell them "Er, it's about this guy who is having trouble uh, growing up and dealing with issues?" Yup, I can envision a raised eyebrow and a tilt of the head followed by the same query filled with attitude "Sooooooo, what's it about?" Though this singular sentence may be enticing to certain moods, the majority of readers will desire more explanations. In Anderson's previous 4 Young Adult novels, I've admired her mad skillz at developing her burdened female protagonists, so I was excited to begin Twisted, despite my mentioned revulsion, to see how she fairs narrating the male gender.

"How did I end up with hardcore stuff like a judge, trial, and probation officer? Look up the laws about property damage." Having spent his summer atoning for spray painting school property, Tyler Miller is starting his last year of HS labeled a "bad boy." It's difficult to believe that this deliquent struggling with AP English could construct such a well developed sentence. The rest of his senior year's schedule includes: surviving the rest of his hellish AP classes; pleasing an over-demanding father; frequently defying a rarely punished school bully; ascertaining his status with his crush, Bethany. Add being the #1 suspect in an internet pornography case to the list and you wonder how much crap Tyler can handle (as well as how many more subplots Anderson will unload) before he cracks. Anderson delivers these circumstances, which at times seem unbelievably interconnected, to ultimately raise awareness about teen suicide. See her website for resources.

I've debated over posting this very short review since I don't discuss my foul disposition towards the portrayal of Tyler. I have to apologize that I allowed my boredom with my second paragraph get the better of me, but at least you have a bit more info than a one sentence summary.

Estrella has always been best friends with Catalina--almost as if they were sisters. But the day the books are burned, things begin to change.

Catalina stands in the plaza watching gleefully, as Estrella's mother drags her away.

Catalina has designs on her cousin Andres. Indeed, she plans to marry him someday, though she speaks of him more as a possession and less as a person. When Estrella finds herself staring at Andres too often, she knows it's wrong, and yet she can't seem to help himself. She can only hope Catalina won't notice.

Her neigbors, the Arrias family, are taken away. They are accused of being false Christians, hidden Jews. Notices are put up in the plaza. Estrella begins to worry. They attended church with the Arrias family. All the items on the list are things her family does. Their secret names for one another suddenly take on new meaning. Piece by piece, the puzzle unites.

Eventually, she will confront her grandfather for the truth. Learning it will leave her feeling heavy and lost.

She and Andres have now formed a secret relationship. One which Catalina soon becomes wise. Caring only for revenge, she heads to the courts, destroying her friend's life without a thought.

Estrella loses much. The town has turned against itself.

A heart-wrenching tale of the the things lost, and the things done, in the name of religion. People burned alive while crowds delight in their screams. People forced to live in hiding, or flee, leaving behind all that they once knew.

Hoffman has become one of my favorite writers of late. Her flair for language and unique style appeal to me. Here I'm speaking of Incantation, The Foretelling, Green Angel. Author of the books-turned-movies, Practical Magic and Aquamarine, she's a name I now keep an eye out for, and pull of the shelf when I pass by.

Though this tale is far from happy, it is hopeful, and told beautifully.

Every bit as amazing as it's prequel, if not more so. To do this book real justice I may have to go back and read it again...for reasons I can't really go into without ruining too much, I read it a little too fast.

Picking up where we left off at the end of Twilight, Bella is now recovered from her attack, still dating Edward, and now has a job at a store in town. Life seems pretty much perfect, except for the minor detail of her still not having what she wants.

Despite her wishes, the Cullens have planned a Birthday party for her, and while she's displeased, she tries to cut them some slack, once Edward points out that they've not been able to celebrate a real birthday in over a hundred years. And party-lover or not, she has to admit they've gone all out.

But, clutz that she is, it isn't long before disaster strikes in the form of a paper cut, leading to Jasper having to be dragged from the house, the rest of the family (other than Carlisle) quickly following after. Once she's been stitched up and bandaged. Edward brings her home, and his gift to her makes the night perfect despite the badness. In fact, she can't imagine a better birthday.

But it isn't meant to last.

Abandoned, Bella spends the next handful of months in a daze. At a complete loss, Charlie has know idea how to help her. But she refuses to leave Forks, and so all he can do is watch her struggle on.

Eventually, sparks of life return, as Bella vows to become reckless, purchases two used motorcycles, and heads down to La Push to see Jacob Black about fixing them. While there, she remembers how much she liked being around Jacob, and her visits quickly turn into a regular thing. Between them, and the sound of Edward's voice in her mind with each reckless act, Bella begins to feel alive.

And then Jacob turns on her.

Life quickly becomes on trial after another, as Bella refuses to let Jacob go, and after a mid-night visit does some hard thinking to piece the puzzle together, much to the chagrin of his new friends. Then a cliff-diving stunt gone bad sets in motion a whole 'nother set of events, even more incredible and harrowing.

Even more than Twilight, New Moon will leave you eagerly awaiting what comes next.

(Next installment due out October 2007)

________________

Meyer created a craze with these books, to be sure. Highly Recommended. If you fell in love with Twilight, you'll definitely want to keep reading. If you haven't read Twilight, definitely read it first.

Picking up three years after Leah's disappearance at the end of Murkmere, Ambergate follows the young maid Scuff, now nearly a young woman, as her life takes her away from the home she's come to love. Haunted by dreams of a long time ago, Scuff's worst fears come to life when soldiers arrive at the manner, looking for the girl 102, who is to be arrested for a crime in her past. A crime no one knows of, and most don't believe she could have committed.

Aggie and her aunt deny Scuff's existence amongst the Staff, sending the soldier's away. Later that night, Scuff is sent on her way with a letter recommending her to a household in Poorgrass Kayes. Unfortunately, as she makes her escape, a group of soldiers arrive seeking her out. The soldiers are actually rebels in disguise, but she doesn't know that, and nor do the staff assigned to help her escape. And so it is she finds herself hurled from the window of the tower in the old Master's flying machine. No one believes she'll survive.

When Scuff next comes to she's in an unfamiliar place, and full of wonder at her survival. She has vague memories of wings, but little else.

Once well enough to rise from bed, Scuff finds she's in the home of Gadd, a healer, living on the Wasteland. His son, Erland, had found her and brought her to his father for care. Gadd, seeing the growing feelings between Scuff and his son, means to send her on her way, but she is reluctant to leave and stretches out her time as long as she can.

Once again, it's the appearance of soldier's that send her on her way.

Bad luck continues to follow her, as upon her arrival in Poorgrass Keyes, the young lad who's assigned to help her find her way instead deposits her on the doorstep of a brothel. A change of luck brings him back to help her escape, only to have her caught up and sold at a slave market. With mixed feelings, she realizes the women who've claimed her for recompense are her old coworkers Dog and Mistress Crumplin.

Gravengate Home is no different than she remembers it from her childhood, and Scuff can't bear the thought of living there once again, unable to help the children suffering within its walls. A needless worry, as it turns out, since the same soldiers are searching for her within the city and have been told she was taken to the home. Though her newfound friend tries to warn her, he's too late, and yet again Scuff is hauled off at the hands of an enemy to one more unfamiliar face.

Her captors are the same rebels who meant to take her from Murkmere, but to Scuff they still seem soldiers, and she's willing to do anything they ask to save herself from a grim fate. She agrees to the order to kill Caleb Prouted, the Lord Protector's son, unaware what other plans the rebels have for her.

Rescued by the Protector's musician boy, Nate, Scuff is taken to the palace, and told never to reveal her face. Miss Leah recognizes her, even with the hat and veil, and soon the two are trying to find a way to save Leah from her fate of marriage to Caleb, as Scuff continues to delay her mission of murder.

The underlying story is that of Scuff's true heritage--to her only a dim memory that seems more a dream than a truth of long ago. Her trials throughout are many, but through it all she remains true to herself.

This was a very different read than Murkmere, but the story was just as enjoyable, and slightly more suspenseful.

Colin Singleton has issues with his life. Mainly that he doesn't understand it, and as a recent high school graduate, is sure of little other than his status as a failure. Utterly disgusted with his best friend's state of mind, Hassan decides what they needs is a road trip. After somehow making their parents agree, off the head, no destination in mind.

A random highway exit boasts the grave of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who Colin had been thinking of not long before, and so begins the journey to Gutshot, TN, where the road trip becomes stationary.

After the tour to the Archduke's grave, Colin and Hassan meet Hollis, their tourguide Lindey's mother, who brings them home for dinner and offers them a job for the summer. At $500/week, the pair can't refuse.

The days soon settle into a sort of rhythm. Recording oral histories of Gutshot for Hollis in the morning, killing time in the afternoon while Lindsey goofs off with her boyfriend, and for Colin, working on the Theorem he's come up with to predict the pattern of a relationship. First he can only get it to work for a few of the Katherines. With some tweaking, it works for all but one. After further delving, he realizes he's misremembered this one, and once he adjusts the formula to show the true events, the Theorem is rock solid.

And yet...while History is easy to study (like they say, hind-sight is 20/20), the future is a different animal altogehter. And this is the realization Colin really needs to come to. That life can't be predicted, there is no certainty, and the only sure thing to do is to get out there and try.

Excellent book. Unique story, great characters, much lighter than Looking for Alaska. Definitely worth a read.

__________

This is Green's second book, and I wasn't surprised to see that it too had been up for the Printz Award.

These characters are even more likeable, in their oddities, and the story more fun. I'm not huge on math, but the Katherine equation really intrigued me. Looking forward to whatever is next.

Tessa Scott is dying, and there's some things she'd really like to get to before she does. Ideas scribbled everywhere around her room. On the wall. On scraps of paper. Her best friend, Zoey, thinks she should gather them together, make a real list, get on with it. Anything's better than lying about in bed all day. And as much as Tess would like to disagree, she eventually comes to realize she has two choices. Get on with living or get on with death. And since her life has already been cut short, isn't making the most of the rest of it the best plan?

The list is not necessarily the kind of thing a parent would love. In fact, Tessa's pretty sure that her dad will hate most of it. But it's her life. And she wants to get to experience it. After all, what's the worst that can happen?

Of course, making up one's mind to go through with something so big and actually doing it are different stories. And when Zoey comes to collect her for their night out, where they intend to take care of number uno--sex--Tess isn't so keen to leave the house. Nor is her dad keen to have her out late. Zoey cares about neither objection, and off they go. It's not exactly everything Tessa was hoping for. In fact it might be nothing she was hoping for. But it's still one off the list. And it's a start. Which might make it easier to keep going. But nothing can make it easy.

Her relationships are strained at best. Her father is at wit's end. Zoey comes and goes. She meets the neighbor boy, after a long stretch of watching him through the window, only to get close, push him away, get close, push him away.

The day she decides to say yes to everything lands her in a river, and afterwards in hospital. Her wish for fame leads to a radio interview where she divulges some details her father could have done with out. But once she's really made up her mind to go out on her own terms, there's certainly no stopping her.

Not the easiest story to read, in terms of sunshine and happy times, but it's certainly well worth the read. Tessa is someone to aspire to, when all is said and done.

This is the second of the Echo Falls Mystery books, which began with The Rabbit Hole. The main character, Ingrid Levin-Hill, is a middle school student sleuth, who loves, loves, loves Sherlock Holmes.

In this installment, Ingrid's quiet little world starts to go topsy-turvy. Her brother, the only Freshman on the High School Varsity football team, turns moody. While spotting him one night (much to her chagrin, as Ty is lifting far more weight than she could ever help him with), she notices his back is covered with pimples--also unusual for him, though she doesn't know what to make of it until later when a randomly understood comment in Health class catches her attention. Steroids can cause acne.

Meanwhile, Ingrid's father has become a different sort of person--sullen and cranky. Working all the time. No fun to talk too. While she feels a hidden issue of the local paper announcing a new hire at the Ferrand Group, where her father works, must have something to do with it, since she was never supposed to have seen that paper, there's not much she can ask about it. Besides, he seems not to hear her most of the time anyway.

Then comes the finding of a Mexican pill bottle in her old childhood tree house, finding Ty's DVD player missing only have it to return (and the pill bottle disappear). The new assistant soccer coach beaming the head coach in the head with a ball and acting innocent. The weirdness is adding up, and Ingrid is sure it has to mean something.

When she's kidnapped the morning of MathFest she knows something is going on. Only she has no evidence to back herself up, when all is said and done, and finds almost no one believing her.

____________

This was an exceptionally fun book to read. I think maybe even a little better than the first installment, though admittedly I can't remember much about it other than it left me looking out for this one. They don't need to be read in order either. While this book makes some references to the other, it's nothing really central or that will leave you lacking any pertinent information.

Ingrid is a really vibrant character, and watching her mind put things together, with and without the help of Sherlock Holmes stories that she can recall at will, is great fun.

I don't usually go in for mysteries, but I wouldn't want to miss one of these. Eagerly awaiting book 3.