I really wanted to like this and had high hopes going in. The world building, with a direct link to Russian history and language was exciting, but unfortunately I did not connect with the characters especially when romance was thrown into the mix. I'm tired of the savior of the known world trope where a character unknowingly has massive powers hidden to her and then one tiny circumstance makes them readily apparent. Also, a 17 year old who constantly sticks her tongue out like a child when she is upset is a bit lame.

I think this would have been better aged down with the aggressive sexual references removed.

A fine and complete ending for the Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy. My only (small) quibble is that the sheer amount of content and world-building crammed into this not-so-short novel could easily have been made into two books. I want to know more about the cataclysm Ms. Taylor! More!

And man did my poor little heart get jerked around (yum). So much sexual tension, so much. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I just love when an author makes me beg for the moments. I did feel a new romance between two major-ish characters was a bit of a stretch for me, but whatever. Go Romance!

2nd Read: on audibook!

I just love this audiobook narrator, although I sure missed her Brimstone voice. Sigh. But, lyrical and just enthralling. I think I may have enjoyed listening to this more then I liked reading it. I still want more explanation about certain events...

Ah, more answers about the creepy creatures in the woods. I'm starting to think perhaps they aren't evil at all...maybe just misunderstood?

Another great volume of Northwoods WI horror. The Valentine's Day issue was hilarious.

Grace is torn from a swing by a pack of wolves when she is twelve. She is bitten and almost dies, but one of the pack drags her to safety. As she grows up the wolf who rescued her haunts the edge of her parents' property during the winter but disappears during the summer. Little does she know this wolf is actually a boy name Sam. His werewolfiness takes over during the cold months, and regresses when it is above freezing. As fate would have it, they finally meet during Sam's last months as a human (the changing only lasts so long). Various circumstances and trials lead to their falling in love. Will this winter end tragically, with Sam forever staying a wolf?

I thought cold being the impetus for the werewolf change was super clever, but overall the love story was bit spare in some details for me. Of course Sam and Grace instantly fall in love because she was already in love with him as a wolf. That was sort of creepy, but sure ok. There was quite a focus on bed time snuggling; I wish more time was spent exploring their relationship and why they actually liked each other. Sam was definitely the better drawn of the characters for me, with his love of poetry, music, guitar playing. Cute sensitive type. I'm interested enough to keep going with this series, but Maggie Stiefvater's "Scorpio Races" is a far superior tale (so read that one first people).

05/26/2014 - reread
I bought the trilogy for my Kindle and did a reread. I'm going to bump my review up to four stars because the writing is just so damn good.

Quiet, introspective, and powerful. My first Sarah Dessen novel and I enjoyed it very much. I did find it quite hilarious that there was any question about which boy Macy would choose (not that there was much of one nor was that the focus of this book).

Clary, Jace, and the gang continue to battle Clary's evil brother Sebastian who is stealing the souls of other Shadowhunters, making unholy alliances, and overall just being terrible. Will Jace ever control the Heavenly Fire in his body? Can all the different love-stories be resolved?

Well, after 700+ pages I enjoyed myself, but the ride could have been shorter. Clare spent a lot of time plugging her two other series, the Clockwork Angel series and her yet-to-be published Dark Artifices trilogy when I really just wanted to see what happened with the main characters of this loooong arc.

There was also a lot of Deus Ex Machina moments, and seriously,

who carries a condom whilst on a trek in literal hell? I'm glad they are being safe but I had MAD giggles. Also, just when you thought the incest-y stuff was over, BOOM, back again. Gah.

.

Every important couple in the series did get a wrap up, unfortunately my favorites were slightly screwed in the bargain. I constantly felt like we were jumping around to make sure everyone got their perfect moment in, but at least I enjoyed it when it happened, even when it felt contrived.

Overall, I enjoyed this series and it was fun to see it to a close. However, this ending was nothing like the emotional punch in the gut I felt after reading Clockwork Princess. I LOVED that book.

Slightly juvenile, but so much fun and full of awesome characters. I really enjoyed Mead's world of Vampires and their lore, including the different classifications of vampires and their protectors. I found this very unique, and I enjoyed that Mead wasn't afraid to imbue sensuality and sexuality into some of the aspects of Vampirism, including feedings. Mead definitely isn't afraid to push the envelope here, and this is SO refreshing considering the Bella/Twilight effect. No hidden Mormon agenda here.
The two main ladies, Rose and Lissa have a great relationship structure, often rare in the YA world, and I can't wait to see how their guardian relationship grows as the series continues. I was also glad to see realistic handling of boy/girl relationships, and an acknowledgment that these characters are HIGH SCHOOLERS - and that they should date around. Jeez.

Glad I finally read this.

Soapy and fun, but pretty light on the world-building details I crave. A good series to read in the summer when I don't have much attention span. I do really enjoy the snarky, willful Rose.

The family and friend vacation to Mallorca was planned long before Frannie found out Jim screwed a 23 year old intern, so they take it as last chance to see if their marriage can be reconciled. Frannie and Jim aren't the only ones with issues - their 18 year old daughter Sylvia just wants to escape an embarrassing Facebook scandal and finally lose her virginity; their son and his much older girlfriend Carmen need to ask for a cash handout, and Frannie's gay BFF Charlie and his husband need to decide if they really want to adopt a baby.

Amidst the sparkling beaches, jamon sandwiches, and family drama, will this be a vacation to remember or will these orbiting satellites end up crashing and burning?

Fantastic, absorbing, and the best summer book I've read in a long time. The Vacationers reminded me of Maggie Shipstead's Seating Arrangements with its multiple POVs and quirky characters who are both loveable and loathsome at the same time. Straub showcases the power of family (by blood or choice) over the perceived "outsider" and how the glee in the suffering in others can also help mend your interpersonal problems. Tons of fun.

The matriarch Frannie really struck home to me, especially her disgust with how her children behave even though she has unwavering love for them. How Straub depicted the handling of certain significant others who don't pass muster also rang so true for me. My only quibble was the "too-neat" ending.

Loved this book!