Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Author: JK Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #7
Genre: Fantasy (YA)
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Harry Potter is preparing to leave the Dursleys and Privet Drive for the last time. The future that awaits him is full of danger, not only for him, but for anyone close to him–and Harry has already lost so much. Only by destroying Voldemort’s remaining Horcruxes can Harry free himself and overcome the Dark Lord’s forces of evil. In a final and perilous journey, Harry must find the strength and the will to face a deadly confrontation that is his alone to fight.

There are spoilers in this review. Read at your own risk.

Each time I’ve read/listened to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I’ve cried. I can’t help it. There are so many emotions that go through me as I read this book. I cry because some of my favorite and most beloved characters die. I cry because it’s the end of a story, a story that means more to me than any other story, a story that helped me discover the wondrous world of reading. I cry because of the adventure, an awesome adventure I was/am able to be a part of.

I felt so bad for Harry when Hedwig died. He had no time to mourn her. It was so sudden and there was so much going on at the time. She was his only link to the wizarding world during the summers when he was with the Dursleys. She was one of his only links to Sirius when Sirius was on the run. She meant so much to Harry. I was just so sad and angry when she died. I wish she had just been set free so he didn’t have to worry about her when he was hunting Horcruxes. But, in war, people and animals die. I’m glad Rowling didn’t take the coward’s way out and keep everyone alive, even though I didn’t want to see any of them die. But, why couldn’t Rowling have just spared Harry’s owl?! At least she had a more dignified, heroic end in the movie. It’s the only thing I prefer in the movies over what happens in the books.

Dobby’s death was the hardest death for me. I know Dobby was the “Jar Jar” of the Harry Potter universe. But, I loved him. I loved his unwavering loyalty to Harry. I loved all the help he gave Harry over the course of five years. And, I think he died how he would’ve wanted to die, saving Harry. The burial was so tender and so heart-wrenching. I sobbed.

As soon as Lupin and Tonks made Harry Teddy’s godfather, I knew Lupin and Tonks were dead. I knew Rowling was going to mirror Harry’s life with Teddy’s, but with a happier childhood because of Teddy’s loving grandma and Harry.

I love the epilogue. I didn’t find it cheesy in the least bit. Sure, the name Albus Severus is something to be desired, but I still love it. I laughed and cried. My only disappointment is that I wanted to know more about more of the characters. But, I love that we get to see what we do and that Rowling has answered questions about the other characters in interviews.

“Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all those who live without love.” Albus Dumbledore

I loved learning about Dumbledore’s past and family. I knew that Rita Skeeter would have some truth in her book. But, I also knew that she’d have it wrong and make it worse than it really was. After Aberforth and Dumbledore told Harry what happened, it made so much sense. And, it just made Dumbledore seem more human and made my love and admiration for him grow.

I also loved learning more about Snape. We only saw tidbits about his past here and there and they were usually jaded because we saw it through Harry’s eyes and didn’t get the full picture. I loved learning the truth about Snape and all it entailed. Not only did it show us how much Dumbledore understood Voldemort and how much Voldemort didn’t know anything at all, we also got to experience some of Lily and Petunia’s childhood.

The first time I read Deathly Hallows, I just wanted to know what would happen. I devoured it and I lost out on a lot of the detail. This time, my second read but third time through the book (audiobook), I caught so much more. I noticed the battle at Hogwarts a lot more. I also realized that there really wasn’t that much camping involved. Rowling just glossed over some of the smaller places Harry, Hermione, and Ron visited. But, they did a lot while they were searching for the Horcruxes and the sword. I also laughed and smiled more during this read because I wasn’t always anxious about what was going to happen next since I already knew.

Deathly Hallows is, by far, my favorite book in the series, although Azkaban is my favorite story. I just loved seeing all my questions answered. When I first read Deathly Hallows, I had made a list of unanswered questions, no matter how insignificant I thought they were, and I loved finding out the answers. I love the complexity of this series and how much detail is involved in everything right up until the end. As I’ve said many times, JK Rowling is a genius and that’s all there is to it.

Title: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Author: JK Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #6
Genre: Fantasy (YA)
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It is Harry Potter’s sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As Voldemort’s sinister forces amass and a spirit of blood and fear sweeps the land, it becomes clear to Harry that he will soon have no choice but to confront his destiny.

There are spoilers in this review. Some of these spoilers allude to the events in Deathly Hallows. I simply cannot do this book justice without discussing them. Read at your own risk.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is my third favorite in the series. There is so much that happens in this book that affects the entire series that it can’t not be high up on my favorites list. But, I do have a love/hate relationship with it because of the ending. Dumbledore’s death affected me more than any other death in the series. I knew he’d die. In fact, I had long figured out he would because Harry had to face Voldemort alone. But, I didn’t realize how he’d die and that surprised me to the core.

“When you have seen as much of life as I have, you will not underestimate the power of obsessive love.” Professor Slughorn

I love the amount of romance in this book. I love the chaos it creates, even though Ron and Hermione spend a lot of the book pissed off at each other. I love the bond that Ron and Hermione gain from the chaos, though. I also love that Harry and Ginny end up together. It was the happiest moment in the book for me!

Snape stood out the most to me in this book, and for good reason, of course. He’s so involved in so many of the facets of this novel. Not only is he the Half-Blood Prince, he’s the one who kills Dumbledore. I was so angry when I first read it. I couldn’t even fathom that Snape was acting on Dumbledore’s orders. But, after I calmed down and started to form my theories of what would happen in Deathly Hallows, I finally decided that Snape had to be acting on Dumbledore’s orders. (I still didn’t like it, though.) Personally, I think Snape is the most complex, well-written character I’ve ever read. You second guess your feelings for him throughout the entire series, at least I did. You never know his motives until the end. But, knowing his motives now, I can say that I loved how he continued to teach/prepare Harry after Dumbledore’s death. Harry didn’t realize it, of course, but I thought it was a stroke of genius on Rowling’s part.

My favorite thing about this book is the amount of time Harry gets to spend with Dumbledore. I’ve always loved their little chats at the end of each book. And, this book is like one long, giant chat between the two of them. I love the insight we see into Dumbledore’s character. It almost prepared me for his death and what we learn about him in Deathly Hallows.

The Horcruxes are so interesting. I had never read anything like it. (Well, of course, I hadn’t; I wasn’t much of a reader when I first read this book. But, I still haven’t read anything like it.) They explained so much and yet so little (at least before Deathly Hallows). It showed so much of Voldemort’s true character. Before learning about the Horcruxes, you just think he’s this power-hungry wizard willing to do anything to usurp that power. But after, you realize that while he is power-hungry, he’s also quite vulnerable, afraid of death and those around him. You see his weaknesses so much more clearly.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the beginning of the end, in my opinion. You can’t read it without continuing on to Deathly Hallows. Both books are so interrelated to each other. The glimpse you get of how the series is going to end is so subtle and masterfully-crafted.

Title: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Author: JK Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #5
Genre: Fantasy (YA)
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Harry Potter is due to start his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is desperate to return to Hogwarts and find out why his friends, Ron and Hermione, have been so secretive all summer. But before he even gets to school, Harry survives a terrifying encounter with two Dementors, attends a court hearing at the Ministry of Magic and is escorted on a nighttime broomstick ride to the secret headquarters of a mysterious group called the Order of the Phoenix.

There are a few minor spoilers in this review, mostly for the four previous books.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was the first Harry Potter book that I had to wait to be published. When I started to read the series, the first four books were already out. When I finished Goblet of Fire, I didn’t think I could wait the two long years, which turned into three, for Order of Phoenix to be published because Goblet of Fire ended in such a cliffhanger. If I felt I’d get resolution with Order of Phoenix, I was much mistaken. Resolution doesn’t come for a while.

I know many Harry Potter fans didn’t like Order of the Phoenix very much. They didn’t like how angry Harry was. While I enjoy reading about Harry when he’s in a better mood, I understood where he was coming from. If I had been in his shoes, experiencing everything he did, dealing with Umbridge, I’m sure I would’ve been angry too. It just didn’t bother me. In fact, I think Order of the Phoenix is a fantastic book for many reasons.

“Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end, if not always in the way we expect.” Luna Lovegood

First, I love to hate Dolores Umbridge. She is such a well written character. I hate her even more than I hate Voldemort because while both Voldemort and Umbridge are hungry for power, Umbridge, being a member of the ministry and not being looked upon as a dark wizard, has the ability to inflict harm and misery upon Harry (and everyone at Hogwarts) throughout the entire year. Hogwarts is supposed to be a happy place for Harry, but Umbridge thwarts that on many occasions. Oooh! I just hate her!

Second, the end-of-the-school-year-chat with Dumbledore is my favorite of all the previous ones. I love the amount of insight we get into Dumbledore’s character during this chat. I think it makes it much more poignant that he’s “ignored” Harry throughout the year. You can really see how much he cares for Harry when he finally discusses everything with him. And, even though he has to prepare Harry for what’s to come in the future, something Dumbledore isn’t at all eager to do, his love for Harry is more apparent in this novel than any of the others.

Third, I love meeting the members of the Order and spending as much time with Sirius as we do (and learning about his past). It’s so intriguing to see the inner workings of the Order. Even though we don’t get to see a lot of it because Dumbledore doesn’t want Harry knowing everything, we still get to see a lot of how the Order functions–guard detail, throwing off the Ministry of Magic, spying on Voldemort, etc.

Finally, as with every other book in the series, I love the awesome foreshadowing that JK Rowling writes into the story. I love the subtle mention of the locket and the subtle mention (just noticed during this read) of Lily’s relationship with a certain someone still at Hogwarts. I also love that you get a glimpse of what’s to come in Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows with Harry’s role in Voldemort’s downfall. She’s a genius. That’s all there is to it.

While Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix isn’t my favorite book of the series, it isn’t my least favorite either. The complexity of the story is a wonderful addition and integral part of Harry’s life while he’s at Hogwarts. And, with all the darkness in this book, it makes you appreciate the lighthearted atmosphere in the others more.

Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Author: JK Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #4
Genre: Fantasy (YA)
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The summer holidays are dragging on and Harry Potter can’t wait for the start of the school year. It is his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and there are spells to be learned and (unluckily) Potions and Divination lessons to be attended. But Harry needs to be on his guard at all times–his worst enemy is preparing a terrible fate for him.

There are a few minor spoilers in this review, mostly for the three previous books.

When I first read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, I was amazed by it. I thought it was a fun change from the previous three books because it had adventure throughout the entire year rather than just at the end. At the time, it was the last book published and I felt a sense of longing and anxiety to find out what happened, especially after the ending!

Having read the book four previous times, it was fun to keep an eye out for the foreshadowing of a particular character to see how it ties into the ending and big twist/reveal. One thing I love about JK Rowling is her awesome ability to foreshadow and tie all the stories together.

Even though I give this book five stars just like I do every other book in the series, I actually have two beefs with it. One was fixed in a subsequent edition, but it still bothers me to no end because it’s in my US first edition. I’m, of course, talking about the order in which Harry’s parents come out of the wand; it’s backwards and with my perfectionistic, anal brain, I just can’t look past it when I read that part.

“If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” Sirius Black

The second thing that bothers me is at the end of the book as the students are making their way back to the Hogwarts Express, the horseless carriages are mentioned. At this point, Harry should’ve been able to see the thestrals, but there’s no mention of them. The only thing that I can think of is that Rowling didn’t want to open that can of worms until the next book. But, why did she have to mention them at all at the end of this book? She really doesn’t in any of the previous ones. I guess it could also be that Harry was too preoccupied with leaving that he didn’t notice them. But, I’d think it would be pretty obvious as it is in the next book.

Anyway, even with those two things, I still love this book. I love the Triwizard Tournament. I love the subtle humor between the characters. I love seeing Ron and Hermione’s relationship elevate to a new level. I love the amount of magic you get to read about in this book and “see” Harry perform. It’s just a good adventure. And, it’s a pivotal book in the series, the beginning of the end.

Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Author: JK Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #3
Genre: Fantasy (Middle Grade)
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Harry Potter, along with his best friends, Ron and Hermione, is about to start his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry can’t wait to get back to school after the summer holidays (who wouldn’t if they lived with the horrible Dursleys?) But when Harry gets to Hogwarts, the atmosphere is tense. There’s an escaped mass murderer on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school….

There are a few minor spoilers in this review, mostly for the two previous books.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite story in the Harry Potter series. I love the dynamic of everything found in its pages–the characters, the adventure, the “mystery,” etc.

In Prisoner of Azkaban, the third year students finally get a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his stuff. You get to see the students learn how to battle boggarts, grindylows, hinkypunks, and much more. It’s fun to see how the students handle each of these obstacles. Professor Lupin is one of my favorite characters. I loved getting to know him and learning all about him and his life at Hogwarts as a student and as a teacher.

Speaking of teachers, Snape made me so angry in Prisoner of Azkaban. I wanted to reach through the pages and strangle him on more than one occasion. I remember hating him after finishing this book for the first time. You think he hates Harry in the first two books, but there’s nothing like his hatred for him in this book. I completely understand why Harry, Ron, and Hermione don’t trust him. I wouldn’t have either.

“You think the dead we loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don’t recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble?” Albus Dumbledore

It was also fun to see the growing pains Harry, Ron, and Hermione go through. At first, it seems as though their friendship is perfect, none of them can do wrong in each other’s eyes. But, in Prisoner of Azkaban, the reader sees that their friendship is just as susceptible to anger, hurt, indifference, and jealousy as any other friendship. But, their friendship is so strong, it can stand these hiccups and actually become stronger because of them. Their friendship, as I said in my review of Sorcerer’s Stone, is one to be jealous of.

I loved exploring Hogsmeade, the only all-Wizard town in England. It was fun to delve deeper into the wizarding world and explore all the different shops. It actually made me kind of jealous of the characters as I’d love to experience everything they did, especially the sweets and food.

My favorite thing about Prisoner of Azkaban is the concept of the Marauders and the Marauders’ Map. I love the back story of Loony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs. This is the main reason I don’t like the movie version of Prisoner of Azkaban very much because I think it doesn’t give enough time to explain the importance of the Marauders and the map.

Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Author: JK Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #2
Genre: Fantasy (Middle Grade)
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Harry Potter is a wizard. He is in his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Little does he know that this year will be just as eventful as the last … even getting there is an adventure in itself! The three firm friends, Harry, Ron and Hermione, are soon immersed in the daily round of Potions, Herbology, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Quidditch. But then horrible and mysterious things start happening. Harry keeps hearing strange voices, sinister and dark messages appear, and then Ron’s sister Ginny disappears….

There are a few minor spoilers in this review.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the book in which I learned to love the characters the most. Now that all the introductions are done, except for a few new characters, you start to see their true nature. The dynamic of these characters is such that without a single one of them, it’d throw off the story in some form or another.

There are the main three, of course. Hermione is a bossy know-it-all, but without her love for all things learning and her incredible logic and intellect, I don’t think Harry or Ron would’ve got nearly as far as they did in solving the mysteries of each novel. Nor would they have kept on top of their studies. Ron is the funny best friend. He keeps both Harry and Hermione grounded and can even put Hermione in her place when she’s being too bossy. Harry is the hero, but not just any hero. Although he’s very uncertain of himself, we find that he’s brave and has a good heart. He doesn’t want anything to happen to anyone. And, if there’s anything he can do about it, he’ll do it, even if he’s not the best wizard for the job.

Fred and George Weasley bring humor to the story and help us remember than even in the darkest of times, we can still enjoy ourselves and have fun. Neville, although accident-prone and the most unlikely to be a great wizard in the school, is fiercely loyal, friendly, and determined to prove that he’s just as good as everyone else.

Then there are the characters that we hate or don’t know what to think of yet. Draco Malfoy is annoying, pompous, and snobbish. He thinks he deserves everything and that everyone’s beneath him. But, without him, Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s Hogwarts life would be just too easy. Even though Snape is harsh and unfriendly to most students, there’s more to him than meets the eye. And, Lockhart … I forgot how annoying he is until I started reading his character again. But, like Ron, I’m almost sad to see him go in the end.

Apart from the characters is the actual story in Chamber of Secrets. The complexity amazes me. Having read the future books, I can see the foreshadowing Rowling does even from this point in the series. There are so many little clues here and there that tell you what’s going to happen.

“It is our choices, Harry, that show us what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” Albus Dumbledore

There are so many little things I love about this story. I love when Harry meets Fawkes, Professor Dumbledore’s phoenix, for the first time. I love reading about his uncertainty of whether Gryffindor is the right house for him. And, I love the interactions between him and Dobby.

The first time I read Chamber of Secrets in 2001, I figured out the mystery long before Harry, Ron, and Hermione did. But, I still remained on the edge of my seat, excited to see how and when they found out what everything meant and how to put a stop to it.

There’s so much more I can say about Chamber of Secrets, but I don’t think anyone wants to read all of it. Simply put, it’s a wonderfully, complex, rich story and makes me excited to continue on with Harry’s adventures in the next books.

Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Author: JK Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #1
Genre: Fantasy (Middle Grade)
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Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy. He lives with his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and cousin Dudley, who make him sleep in a cupboard under the stairs. Then Harry starts receiving mysterious letters and his life is changed forever. He is whisked away by a beetle-eyed giant of a man and enrolled in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The reason: Harry Potter is a wizard!

There are no spoilers in this review.

I’ve now had the chance to read both the UK and US editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. (I’ll refer to it as Sorcerer’s Stone from here on out because that’s what I’m used to.) While I love the cover art of the US edition more, reading the UK version was like reading an entirely new story. I loved every minute of it!

Some of you are probably wondering if the editions are really that different. The answer is no, and yes. No because it’s still the same story. I still knew what was going to happen. But, yes, because I got to read JK Rowling’s original words; the words she wrote, not the words “translated” for US readers. And, that was priceless!

When I first read Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001, I was transported to a wondrous, magical world. I was awed by Rowling’s ability to capture my attention and evoke a desire stronger than anything I had ever experienced to be a part of a world other than my own. Now, a little more than a decade later, I still feel that same magic, captivation, and desire as I reread this novel.

Rowling’s ability to foreshadow the events to come is amazing! Even with this read, I found foretelling of things that I hadn’t noticed before. Even if I didn’t know what happened in the other six books, her foreshadowing within the same novel is amazing. But, I think it’s a true testament of her ability to see the overarching foreshadowing she does throughout the entire series. Every time I encounter foreshadowing, I just smile and think, “Rowling, you genius!”

I love the little bit of humor Rowling brings into the story. The story is very intense. Many of the topics are not easy to discuss or even think about. But, the humor interwoven throughout the story helps lighten the way, making it easier to deal with the darker topics.

The characters are complex and endearing, even the ones you hate or can’t make up your mind about. I loved getting to know the main characters in Sorcerer’s Stone. Even though, as a reader, you’ve barely touched the surface of who they are, you learn to love them. Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s friendship is one to be jealous of, one to wish you were a part of. Not only do you wish you could share in their adventures, but you also wish to have a friendship as strong as theirs that can withstand anything that comes its way.

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that.” Albus Dumbledore

Out of all the characters, Dumbledore is, by far, my favorite. In fact, he’s my favorite literary character of all time. We don’t often get to see him. He waits along the sidelines, allowing Harry and his friends to figure things out on their own. But, when he is around, you can be sure that Harry (and the reader) leave as better people. His wisdom, or I should say Rowling’s, is astounding. I’m always amazed at how profound these stories are because of Dumbledore.

Title: Everneath
Author: Brodi Ashton
Series: Everneath #1
Genre: Mythological Fantasy Romance (YA)
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Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she’s returned–to her old life, her family, her friends–before being banished back to the underworld … this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back–this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she’s forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s …

When I first finished reading Everneath, I told Brodi that I wished I could’ve posted my full review then because I’d sing her high praises because I loved the book so much. But, I wanted to wait closer to release day.

I loved Everneath so much that it has earned a spot on my Favorites shelf. It was interesting, intriguing, sad, happy, moving, every emotion imaginable. Interspersed with the story of Persephone and Hades and Brodi’s own ideas and take on those events, I felt as if I was there, living what the characters lived.

I was anxious the entire time I read the book. It wasn’t a bad anxious. It’s just that I was hooked from the very beginning, so I wanted to know what was going to happen to Nikki. There was no way I could possibly understand what Nikki was going through, but I could feel her pain. I was invested in her character and I wanted her to feel happy again.

I really liked Nikki. Even though she came back to the Surface drained of all her emotions, I thought she still came across as strong. Although she was sad and wished she hadn’t gone to the Everneath, she owned her part in it. She didn’t blame her family or friends, even though other teenagers in her stead probably would’ve. That made her a very likeable protagonist.

“I let you go once and you disappeared on me. Without a word. I’m not asking it to be the same as it was, but I just want to know you again. Please. Can I know you again?” Jack

I absolutely loved Jack, Nikki’s boyfriend before she went to the Everneath. I don’t know exactly what to say about him other than that he’s a strong, selfless, and unconditionally loving character. I loved how loyal he was to Nikki and that he’d go to any lengths imaginable to help her. Any girl would be lucky to have him as a boyfriend, if only he were real.

As I’ve said in the past, I normally hate love triangles so much that I despise the third wheel. And, when I say despise, I mean I literally want that character wiped from the story. But, even with these feelings about love triangles, I wanted to hate Cole, but I couldn’t. I also wanted to love him, but I couldn’t. I had a very strong love/hate relationship with him. I think there’s much more to him than meets the eye, even knowing from the beginning that he’s an Everliving–the immortals that feed on the emotions of humans. I’m excited to see how his character progresses and falls into the rest of the series. And, I’m super excited to see how my feelings for him will change or maybe even remain the same–confused and intrigued by him.

I love how the book ended and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one because there’s so much potential to this story.

Personal Note

I was surprised to find out that I was mentioned in the Acknowledgements. I was also very moved.

Hugs all around for friends who have helped me through the madness of trying to get a book published, either by reading early drafts or providing emotional support and chocolate: … Jenni Elyse.

Thanks, Brodi! Any time I can help lift up your spirits, you can count on me.

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Series: Stand-alone with two companion books
Genre: Contemporary Romance (YA)
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Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion … she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit–more sparkly, more fun, more wild–the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket–a gifted inventor–steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

There are a few very slight spoilers in this review. However, I don’t think it will ruin the book for you if you haven’t read it.

I was so excited to read Lola and the Boy Next Door because I loved Anna and the French Kiss so much. And, even though I love Anna more, Lola didn’t disappoint me. It was such a fun story!

I loved Lola’s parents (all three of them). You could tell that they really loved her and wanted what was best for her. I also loved that they weren’t absent like most parents are in YA stories. It made for some interesting dynamics.

“I was crazy about you, but I didn’t know what to do. It was paralyzing. There were so many times when I wanted to take your hand, but … I couldn’t. That one small move felt impossible.” Cricket

I loved Cricket from the get go. He was such a great guy. He was so nice and so devoted to Lola that I almost thought he was too good for her. But, in the end, I changed my mind and realized that they were perfect for each other.

I had a hard time with Lola a little bit. Most YA characters act older than they are, but I felt like Lola acted her age–seventeen. And, because of that, she seemed a little immature, whiny, and selfish at times. But, she grew on me and I realized she was just confused and didn’t know what she wanted like most teenagers her age. By the end of the book, I really liked her.

I loved reading about all of her awesome outfits. I kept thinking how would it be to dress like her? It would be so fun, but I don’t think I could deal with the insults like she did. I’m too self-conscious. I’m glad she was able to find herself because she struggled with who she was amidst all her crazy outfits.

I especially loved seeing Anna and Étienne from Anna and the French Kiss. It was so much fun to see them from a different perspective and to see that they were still together. Seeing them also reminded me of how much I loved Anna and the French Kiss. I may have to reread it soon.

I’m looking forward to reading more books by Stephanie Perkins and I can’t wait for Isla and the Happily Ever After, the third companion novel. It’ll be fun to see if they all end up in Paris for the reason I think they all would end up there and to see if all three couples come together as friends.

Content Warning

There are a couple of instances of the F-word. Also, this story is a bit edgier than Anna and the French Kiss, but I still loved it.

Title: Clockwork Prince
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: Infernal Devices #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Steampunk, and Romance (YA)
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In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

There are a few very slight spoilers in this review. However, I don’t think it will ruin the book for you if you haven’t read it.

I absolutely adored Clockwork Prince. It has earned a spot on my Favorites shelf and is probably my favorite of all the books Cassandra Clare has written. That’s saying something since it’s the middle book in a trilogy!

This story had it all–suspense, intrigue, humor, love, happiness, and anguish. There were times when I was giddy while reading this story and other times when I wanted to sob because of the heartache I was feeling. And, I have been left on the edge of my seat wondering what’s going to happen next, wondering if things will be resolved the way I want them to be, wondering if I even know how I want things to be resolved.

“Will has always been the brighter burning star, the one to catch attention–but Jem is a steady flame, unwavering and honest.” Sophie

It’s funny. I must be getting over my extreme dislike for love triangles because I couldn’t bring myself to hate Will or Jem. I like them both and either one could be good for Tessa. Honestly, I just don’t want either of them to be heartbroken or for this situation to ruin what they have as friends and parabatai. In fact, I was so worried about this that I asked Cassandra Clare about it on Tumblr. And, while she answered my question which I’m so happy about, her answer left me more worried and anxious because of the scenarios she described that could happen. I have a feeling they probably will. I can only hope that things will be okay in the end. (Click here if you’d like to read my question and her answer.)

Clockwork Prince was worth the wait. It definitely met and exceeded my expectations. I loved the story and character development. There’s so many places everything could go that I have a feeling Clockwork Princess is going to be the most intense of the trilogy. I’m excited to see how it all resolves itself. I only hope my heart can take it.