Supernatural: A Very Supernatural Christmas

Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) Winchester are monster-hunting brothers. After their mother was killed when Sam was six months old and Dean was four years old, they and their father, John, have been living on the road and killing evil as they go. Set in season three, “A Very Supernatural Christmas” follows the boys as they investigate a case involving evergreen stakes, peanut brittle and...evil Santa? It’s Christmas Eve and little Stevie can’t wait until Santa comes to bring him presents. Though he doesn’t know it, his grandfather has decided to make it a Christmas to remember and dressed up as the big man himself to treat his grandson. After jingling a bell to alert Stevie to “Santa’s” arrival, Grandpa carefully places gifts under the tree. Thumps on the roof and soot falling from the chimney excite Stevie and confuse Grandpa. As he investigates, Grandpa is grabbed and dragged, kicking and screaming, up the chimney, leaving only a bloody boot behind. A year later, a similar disappearance brings Sam and Dean to Ypsilanti, Michigan. They begin to investigate the possibilities, searching through lore on everything from evil chimney sweeps to, as Dean puts it, “Santa’s shady brother.” As the brothers learn of two more disappearances, the ‘evil Santa’ theory seems less likely and they begin to suspect something, or someone, more powerful is involved. “A Very Supernatural Christmas” is marvelous in its exploration of Christmas mythology, but the highlight is the glimpse it gives of Sam and Dean as children. Several flashbacks to a 12-year-old Dean (Ridge Canipe) and eight-year-old Sam (Colin Ford) reveal just how much the boys mean to each other and what a childhood in the Winchester family was like. Whether by ruining Christmas wreaths forever or by creating a deeper appreciation for the warm and safe holiday celebrations most enjoy, “A Very Supernatural Christmas” will leave viewers seeing Christmas, and the Winchesters, in a new light.

Doctor Who: The Christmas Invasion

Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) was just an ordinary girl until a mysterious man took her by the hand and told her to run. Nine months later, they’re still running. Rose and the ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) have seen planets and galaxies, traveled back to World War II and even witnessed the end of the world. Now, Rose faces the challenge of life with a new Doctor, the 10th regeneration of the man she had come to know through their many adventures. As she struggles with the change, a Christmas invasion might be just the thing to show that the man behind the unfamiliar face is the same Doctor she has come to trust. After regenerating, the Doctor and Rose return to London, where they meet up with Rose’s mom, Jackie (Camille Coduri), and boyfriend, Mickey (Noel Clarke). Upon arrival, the Doctor bids Jackie and Mickey hello … and promptly collapses into a coma-like sleep. The three try to understand the man in the blue box — and wake him from his coma — as they battle with the Robot Santas and killer Christmas trees that have overtaken London. Yep, just your average British Christmas celebration. The Doctor is full of energy leftover from his regeneration, and the excess bursts serve as a tracking signal for the aliens invading earth. The Tylers and Mickey work to wake the comatose Doctor, knowing he is the only one who can save the world from the invaders, called the Sycorax, while assisting the British government in the fight. As they all fight to save humanity from the tyrannical aliens, they can only hope that their resident Time Lord won’t be too late. The first episode of the second season, “The Christmas Invasion” is David Tennant’s debut in a role he dreamed of playing since he was a child. And, even though he sleeps through most of it, he gives viewers a thrilling glimpse of the 10th Doctor, who would later be voted the fan-favorite version of the famous Time Lord. Viewers meet and discover the new Doctor with the Tylers and Mickey, learning about and accepting him alongside them. With gems such as the Doctor deciding on his iconic outfit or quoting “The Lion King” to a group of bloodthirsty aliens, “The Christmas Invasion” is an episode to remember. And, though it is just the beginning of the Tennant years, it is an exciting beginning, indeed.

The Maze Runner

When Thomas wakes in a supply-filled box, hurtling up an elevator-like shaft, he finds his memory is a blank slate. He knows nothing — not how or why he got there, or even where here is. He can’t even remember his name.
The box opens upon reaching the top of the shaft and Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) is introduced to his new home called the Glade, a camp of sorts, inhabited by a group of teenage boys.
Thomas soon learns that all of the boys arrive at the Glade in the same way, once a month, every month, for the last three years. In that time, they’ve made the Glade their home. They have buildings, gardens, leaders, jobs and three basic rules.
Do your part. Never harm another Glader. And never go into the Maze.
The Maze, as Thomas learns, surrounds the Glade. It’s filled with monsters, Grievers, which are heard but go unseen, and has walls that shift and change every night. The walls around the Glade close tightly at sunset. But beware the one who gets stuck on the outside when night falls.
As Thomas begins to acclimate to his new home, he starts asking questions and pushing the status quo. He remembers his name within a few hours of arriving and the snatches of memories in his dreams hint at something bigger going on.
Then, everything starts changing.
Based on the first book in a dystopian trilogy by James Dashner, “The Maze Runner” is a look at the resilience of teenagers and children in the face of hard circumstances—circumstances not chosen and certainly not asked for.
Much like “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent,” the movie begins to explore the limits of human morality when faced with the endangerment of the human race. Just how far is too far?
During the film, the audience learns with Thomas, who is forced to discover the secrets of the Glade and the Maze, without any outside knowledge or additional perspectives from other characters. Although this tends to slow the pace of the movie at some points, the story is punctuated with fast-paced scenes through the Maze. These pulse-quickening chases are further helped by a fantastic soundtrack, written by John Paesano.
The cinematography is beautiful, enhanced by a lovely Louisiana setting, and the graphics are realistic. The Maze is skin-crawlingly creepy and the Grievers’ presence is nothing to desire. The acting, while a bit rough in the beginning, is believable and doesn’t distract from the plot. The characterization, especially for those who have read the book, is spot on.
Several themes run through the movie, including that of resisting limits and pushing change, even when everyone else is happy to exist in comfortable boundaries. Thomas continually asks questions and breaks rules, something none of the others have done, with considerable consequences.
Additionally, the movie stresses the importance of sticking together, the only thing the characters can do to stay alive in their circumstances, and staying true to who one is. As Thomas realizes, it doesn’t matter who anyone was before the Maze. That person is lost and it’s what they do now that matters.
As the first part of a trilogy, “The Maze Runner” mainly sets up the rest of the story. Thus, most of the action, except for the scenes in the Maze, is saved for the end. But what an end it is.
It’s no “Hunger Games,” but “The Maze Runner” had enough action and suspense to stay entertaining. The story promised by the ending is especially exciting, and it will be interesting to see what the sequels will hold. At the very least, it will encourage viewers to read the books — and is that ever a bad thing?

Supernatural: What Is and What Should Never Be

“Supernatural” is a show about two brothers, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) Winchester, who hunt the monsters, such as ghosts, ghouls, demons and other supernatural baddies, that haunt the night. “What Is and What Should Never Be” is the 20th episode of the second season, the last episode before the two-part season finale. Created by Eric Kripke, “Supernatural” first aired in 2005 and is now in its ninth season. The show was confirmed for a tenth season in January 2014. 

When Mary Winchester (Samantha Smith) was killed by the Yellow-Eyed Demon, her sons’ lives changed forever. Any dreams of normalcy — college, friends, even a home — were consumed by her husband John’s single-minded pursuit of the demon that killed his wife.

Even now, months after their father’s death, Sam and Dean  continue in the life he raised them in, hunting and killing evil before it can take anymore lives.

Saving people, hunting things — the family business.

So, what would happen if Mary never died? What would life look like if the Winchesters grew up in suburbia, living a normal, apple-pie life? 

And what if Dean was the only one who could remember their lives as hunters?

When Dean goes alone to hunt a djinn, a genie from Islamic mythology, he is attacked and wakes up in a brand new world with a burning question:

Could the djinn grant a wish hidden so deep within him that he didn’t even know he was wishing it?

Unwilling to threaten the change by digging too deep, Dean settles into his new world. He has a job working on his beloved cars at the garage, a beautiful girlfriend and, for the first time in 23 years, his family is happy. 

But soon this world begins to fall apart, creating questions he can’t ignore. Who is the girl he keeps seeing? Why doesn’t Sam seem to like him? And what is the cost of this new life?

Dean has been a hunter since he was four years old and only recently have the burdens and costs of the hunting lifestyle begun to weigh on him. As he struggles with his father’s death and John’s final order (You have to save Sam or kill him, Dean), he’s been finding it harder to hold on to the reasons behind the hunt.

And, faced with the possibility of a safe life, where happiness is more than a dream, Dean has to ask himself what his old life is worth.

“What Is and What Should Never Be” reveals a completely new aspect of Dean’s character, one that even he barely acknowledged until the djinn unveiled it. As Dean struggles with his heavy decision, viewers are reminded of the reasons they fell in love with this self-sacrificing, fiercely loyal character.

This episode has many of the beloved elements that characterize the show and its characters. From humor (as Dean attempts to convince those around him that really, he hasn’t been drinking) to supernaturally-tinged mystery (how did he get here and how does he get back?), this is one of the show’s most powerful episodes. Jensen Ackles (Dean) gives us a strong performance that reminds us of the softer side that his character hides beneath his tough, smart-aleck facade. One of the strongest moments of the episode is Dean’s heartfelt conversation with his dad as he tries to hold on to the fairy tale he’s been given. 

"Why is it my job to save these people?” he asks. “Why do I have to be some kind of hero? What about us, huh? What, Mom’s not supposed to live her life, Sammy’s not supposed to get married? Why do we have to sacrifice everything, Dad?"

Classic songs set to the perfect scenes (such as when Joey Ramone’s “What A Wonderful World” plays as Dean begins settling into his new world and mows his mother’s lawn for the first time in a hilarious fashion) continue to be a fan-favorite.

This is the first episode that focused on only one of the boys, but the new dynamic never felt off-balance or lacking. And really, it was nice to see Dean be the damsel.

***As you've probably noticed, this review is quite different than the others. In a recent class, I was required to write a review and decided to use the opportunity to tackle a new medium, television, with my favorite show, "Supernatural." I plan to continue reviewing "Supernatural" and other TV show episodes, but I haven't yet decided what format these reviews will take. None will be as in-depth as this one, for sure, but we shall see what form they take. Thanks for reading!***

Black

Summary
Fleeing assailants through deserted alleyways, Thomas Hunter narrowly escapes to the roof of a building. Then a silent bullet from the night clips his head . . . and his world goes black.
From the blackness comes an amazing reality of another world where evil is contained. A world where Thomas Hunter is in love with a beautiful woman.
But then he remembers the dream of being chased through an alleyway as he reaches to touch the blood on his head. Where does the dream end and reality begin?
Every time he falls asleep in one world, he awakes in the other. Yet in both, catastrophic disaster awaits him . . . may even be caused by him.

Some say the world hangs in the balance of every choice we make. Now the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance of one man's choices.

Afterthoughts
Have you ever wondered about other dimensions or parallel universes? This book, and the rest of the Circle series, explores the possibility of another world that is every bit as real as ours. Unfortunately, to Thomas, this truth is hard to grasp when he is the one bouncing between the two.
Yet, though this aspect of the story is a fixating hook, it will barely prepare you for this book's power.
The entire series is a wonderfully written, intriguing and stunning metaphor for the biblical story of redemption through creation, the fall, the crucifixion, the resurrection and God's continued wooing of His people. By taking insubstantial forces, such as good and evil, and making them physical in the parallel universe, Dekker makes abstract ideas easily understandable.
The truth woven into these metaphors will leave you reeling.
And, intermixed with this incredible 'otherworld story' is a fight to save this world from utter destruction. I have read this series countless times over the past 8 years, including last summer, and it astounds me every time. If you have time, go get it and read it. You will not be disappointed. I guarantee it.

Warnings
None.

Extras
Dekker's Facebook page.
Not really an extra (more of a cool fact), but one neat thing about the Circle series is that the four books literally go full circle. I don't want to give it away, but it is a really awesome technique. So, just if you needed extra incentive...

The Demon King

Summary
One day Han Alister catches three young wizard setting fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea. Han takes an amulet away from Micah Bayar, son of the High Wizard, to ensure the boy won't use it against him. The amulet once belonged to the Demon King, who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago. With a magical piece so powerful at stake, Han knows that the Bayars will stop at nothing to get it back.
Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana'Marianna has her own battle to fight. She's just returned to court after three years of riding and hunting with her father's family. Raisa aspires to be like Hanalea, the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world. But it seems that her mother has other plans for her — plans that include a suitor who goes against everything the Queendom stands for.

Afterthoughts
When I started this book, I was unsure how I would like it because it seemed to echo so many other books. Male and female main characters who each tell the story in alternating chapters — check. Subtle hints that afore mentioned characters will be love interests — check. Wizards, wolf-queen ghosts, natives who control the land's magic and a princess who actually wants to rule her kingdom — che- Wait, what?
This book, and the following series, surprised me and kept me intrigued until the end. I always enjoy the different ways authors portray magic in their stories, rarely is it the same. The story was easy to follow and threw unexpected twists, which is always a pleasure.
I enjoyed the main characters and the balance they each brought to the storytelling, as well as their personalities.
And, unlike most books and movies, I enjoyed the second, third and fourth books even more than the first. Definitely one to try.

Warnings
None.

Extras
Read the first chapter!
Chima has a bunch of resources for the series on her site.

Champion

Summary
June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps Elect while Day has been assigned a high level military position. But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them once again. Just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything he has.

Afterthoughts
***Gush Warning***
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! IT TOTALLY MADE THE TRILOGY AND I AM SO HAPPY WITH THE WAY IT ENDED!!!!
***End of gush. You may proceed.***
Silly, I know, but I couldn't contain my excitement with the way Lu ended the trilogy. So many of the recently published books I have read lately have ended with major tragedy — through the death of a main character or some other 'heartbreaking event' — and it is ruining perfectly good books. I don't know what started the 'kill your characters for no reason' trend, but inundation of dead main characters is overkill (pun intended) and, frankly, tends to feel like a cop out by an author who does not know how to end her story.
Now, rant aside, "Champion" was an appropriate ending to a trilogy that has interested me for the past few years. (In fact, you can read my review of the first book, Legend, here.) Main characters Day and June are great point-of-views to read and each brings a unique flavor to the story.
As a dystopian, the book presents a depressing view of a very changed America after world devastation. This imagined world and its politics and issues, along with a host of characters that range from snarky rogues to collected officials, creates a story that demonstrate the pain of sacrifice and the difficulty in choosing who to trust when everything is falling apart.

Warnings
Some mild language and a sex scene, not explicit.

Extras
The book trailer, which includes some cool parkour:

The book trailer for "Prodigy," the second book in the trilogy, which also has some awesome parkour:

The Warrior Heir

Summary
Before he knew about the Roses, 16-year-old Jack lived an unremarkable life in the small Ohio town of Trinity. Only the medicine he has to take daily and the thick scar above his heart set him apart from the other high-schoolers. Then one day Jack skips his medicine. Suddenly, he is stronger, fiercer, and more confident than ever before. And it feels great-until he loses control of his own strength and nearly kills another player during soccer team tryouts.
Soon, Jack learns the startling truth about himself: He is Weirlind; part of an underground society of magical people who live among us. At the head of this magical society sit the feuding houses of the Red Rose and the White Rose, whose power is determined by playing The Game-a magical tournament in which each house sponsors a warrior to fight to the death. The winning house rules the Weir.

As if his bizarre magical heritage isn't enough, Jack finds out that he's not just another member of Weirlind — he's one of the last of the warriors — at a time when both houses are scouting for a player.

Afterthoughts
This is the second series I have read by Williams and it was quite different than I had expected. Instead of a story set in a fantastic, magical world, I got a story set in boring old reality.
Or, at least, that was what I thought.
Williams creates the kind of story many people hope to find themselves in: a normal person who discovers he has extraordinary powers and has been destined for greatness since he was a baby. Sign me up.
And, though the story is a bit cliche (I guessed the biggest plot twist less than halfway into the book), the characters and blend of reality and fantasy made it worth the read. I love books that create worlds that could (somewhat) believably fit into reality (Harry Potter, anyone?) and this was one of those books. Williams takes well-known history, such as the War of the Roses, and gives it a magical twist, which is quite intriguing.
So, if you're between books and don't know what to read, you might give "The Warrior Heir" a try.

Warnings
None.

Extras
Read the first chapter of "The Warrior Heir," or...
Read the first chapter of the sequel, "The Wizard Heir."

Hangman's Curse

Summary
The Veritas Project is their code name—but only a handful of people know teens Elijah and Elisha Springfield have been covertly commissioned by the President to investigate strange mysteries that delve into the paranormal and supernatural. Their charge is to find out not only what happened, but why—the veritas (Latin for truth) behind the seemingly impossible phenomena.
Their new assignment: Hangman's Curse

In Baker, Washington, three popular student athletes lie in an incoherent coma, with loss of muscle coordination, severe paranoia, and hallucinations. It's whispered that they're victims of Abel Frye—a curse that's haunted the school since a student died there in the 1930s. Now the curse is spreading, and students are running scared. The Veritas Project must go undercover to find the truth . . . before it's too late.

Afterthoughts
Frank Peretti is a literary master and, of all his works, this is one of my favorites. "Hangman's Curse"  is thrilling, realistically believable and creepy enough to make you dig out that old nightlight. You've been warned.
Elijah and Elisha are two kids who are very different from most teenagers. They're highly trained spies who get to travel around and solve freaky mysteries. Basically, the dream-selves of many teenagers who wish for a more exciting reality, myself included.
I read this book when I was 12 and have read it a few times since, enjoying it each time. The characters are relatable and likable and the plot twist is completely unexpected. And creepy. Peretti provides a story that gives a thrill, but also addresses deeper topics. It's not your average horror story.
So, crack open those pages and reach for that nightlight. Really. You're gonna need it.

Warnings
Supernatural themes (like ghosts) and general creepy-crawly horror.

Extras
There's a movie! Watch the trailer:

The Obvious Game

Summary
"The Obvious Game" is a journey into anorexia. Diana starts out normal enough, but soon the spiraling reality of her mother's health and her growing relationship with a high school wrestler cutting weight find her helpless against the new rules taking shape in her mind. "The Obvious Game" is a look into the psychology of anorexia and how Diana finds her way back.

Afterthoughts
I read "The Obvious Game" because I recently did some beta reading for Rita Arens' next book (Which is great, by the way. You should definitely read it when it's released.) and I wanted to get a feel for her writing style and focus before I gave her feedback.
When I started reading the book and learned what it was about, I had to walk away from it for a few days because it hit way too close to home. I have seen the effects of an eating disorder firsthand and it was startling to find such a realistic treatment of this difficult topic. I am ever so glad I continued reading, though, because it was a gut-wrenchingly honest and somewhat painful look into the damage an eating disorder brings into a person's life.
Arens also struggled with an eating disorder in college and she uses her experience to write an emotionally powerful account of a young girl who experiments with alcohol, sex and self-harm to find the answers to her questions about life.
So, while this book was not the best-written or most gripping story I have ever read, it was one that resonated with my own experience. And isn't that really what makes a good story?

Warnings
Self-harm, underage drinking, sex and language (including some F-words). Like always, I will never recommend anything explicit, but I'm giving this one a stronger warning than usual.

Extras
Check out Rita's blog.

Blackface Stallion

Summary
Blackface is a young mustang born to a dominant stallion and a golden palomino mare who was stranded in the desert when her transporter died in an accident. This book chronicles Blackface's life growing up in the desert. As a foal, he causes a lot of mischief. By the time he is a few years old, he and his pinto playmate are kicked out of the herd, and must learn to survive in the harsh environment own their own. Eventually, Blackface and the pinto steal fillies and create a herd of their own. But how long can they survive without their father's choice feeding grounds, which leaves them with no option but to encroach on man's land?

Afterthoughts
"Blackface Stallion" is one of a small number of books that found me. To this day, I can't remember why I picked it up or how I even discovered it. It's now out of print, has never won any awards and no one has ever heard of it.
Yet, as a child, I read it at least 10 times.
Granted, I was certified horse freak when I was a kid and still love everything about them (trail ride, anyone?), but this book captured my interest and imagination in a profound way.
The story reads almost like a biography. Without any dialogue. Or people. So... it's basically a horse's biography. Is that weird?
"Blackface Stallion" is a realistic, straight-forward story of the hardships and peculiarities in the life of a wild Mustang in Mexico. From 'horse politics' to the consequences of humanity's intrusion into the land the horses have roamed since they first escaped from early explorers, this book provides a short, blunt look into the realities of living on the range.
Now, I know this book probably has a small fan club and will never be popular, but I couldn't review books without including one that I consider a classic. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but it could surprise you. Do with it what you will.

Warnings
Circle-of-life violence and death. Think of it like a documentary.

Extras
A PBS documentary that follows the life of real Mustang named Cloud.

Light of Eidon

Summary
Abramm Kalladorne has dedicated the last eight years of his life to becoming worthy to touch and tend the Sacred Flames of Eidon, and he expects to be blessed for his devotion and sacrifice.
But on the eve of taking the vows that will irrevocably separate him from the life he was born to — as fifth son of the king of Kiriath — he is betrayed by his spiritual mentor and sold into slavery by his brothers.
Swept along by the winds of a new destiny, Abramm is forced to compete in the gladiatorial games of his new masters. When the oppressed masses rally around his successes, he discovers his suffering has molded him into something greater than he ever thought possible — to serve a purpose he never imagined.

Afterthoughts
"Light of Eidon" is one of many books that I got free on Kindle (yay for free books!) and one of the few that I liked enough to buy the rest of the books in the series. Much like the Chronicles of Narnia books, "Light of Eidon" is rife with Christian symbolism. But, unlike many Christian books, it isn't shoved down your throat. Instead, Hancock presents the symbolism in beautiful and powerful characters and circumstances that parallel the Christian faith.
Abramm was an interesting character to meet, mostly because he starts as such a coward. It was one of those, "Wow, do I really have to read a whole book about this guy?" moments. This feeling quickly transformed to admiration and respect as I watched Abramm grow from a boy who was determined to run from his problems to a man who acknowledged his part in the bigger picture.
Abramm's journey, along with the many characters he meets throughout it, form a gripping and touching story that provoked deep thinking about my faith and the reasons behind what I believe. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book (like, 4 or 5 times) and highly recommend it and the three books that follow it. So... go read!

Warnings
Mild violence.

Extras
"Light of Eidon" is still free on Amazon! Get it here!
Read Karen's blog.

Ender's Shadow

Summary

Welcome to Battleschool. 

Growing up is never easy. But try living on the mean streets as a child begging for food and fighting like a dog with ruthless gangs of starving kids who wouldn't hesitate to pound your skull into pulp for a scrap of apple. If Bean has learned anything on the streets, it's how to survive. And not with fists. He is way too small for that. But with brains.

Bean is a genius with a magician's ability to zero in on his enemy and exploit his weakness.

What better quality for a future general to lead the Earth in a final climactic battle against a hostile alien race, known as Buggers. At Battleschool Bean meets and befriends another future commander - Ender Wiggins - perhaps his only true rival.

Only one problem: for Bean and Ender, the future is now.

Afterthoughts

As soon as I learned Orson Scott Card had written a companion book for “Ender’s Game,” I was out of my mind with excitement. And when I learned that the book focused on Bean? Let’s just say I couldn’t get my hands on that book fast enough.

Bean was my favorite character in “Ender’s Game” and, after reading “Ender’s Shadow,” became my favorite character in the “Ender’s Game” universe. I loved watching the story unfold through Bean’s eyes. In fact, while reading the original book, it was an idea I had thought of and hoped for until I learned Card was already miles ahead of me.

Re-watching and re-reading has never been an issue for me and I didn’t find the story to be stale, even though I knew the outcome from the original book. To see Ender from the perspective of genius, boy-wonder Bean and to watch Bean struggle with Ender’s attitude toward him while knowing the reasons behind it was fantastic.

And, for those worried that the entire book is simply the same story from a different POV, Card gives us both a backstory and an epilogue for little Bean. And it will come as a complete surprise, I can almost guarantee it.

The story was as well-written as “Ender’s Game” and returns many beloved characters while also introducing several new ones. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed "Ender's Game" — and to anyone who has the ability to read. It's a good one.

Warnings

Some mild language and violence.

Extras

Click here for access to the first chapter and more info from Card's site.

Card developed this book into another series, continuing in Shadow of the Hegemon.

Graceling

Summary
Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight — she's a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill.
As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king's thug. When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po's friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace — or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away... a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

Afterthoughts
I can't remember why I picked this book, though it was highly recommended by my roommate after she saw I had it, but I was quite thrilled with it. Katsa's character had an interesting mix of self-loathing, a fierce loyalty to those she called her own and a tenderness that was rarely seen. I enjoyed journeying with her to self-discovery, especially since it was a discovery that had been previously misunderstood.
One of my favorite things about this book was the slow build-up to a full explanation of a Graceling. Since it's the book's title, I knew it was important, but I was frustrated when I didn't get a full explanation immediately. The term is used frequently, but opens this unique aspect of the story's world to the reader in increments. Not only was this an interesting tool for setting the story's pace, but it kept me enthralled. There was no way I was going to put that book down!
The supporting characters were well-developed and added elements to the story that Katsa, as the narrator, was unable to provide. This was especially strong in Po's character. He provided a perfect balance for Katsa's stony refusal to feel emotion and (though his name constantly made me think of "Kung Fu Panda") he quickly became one of my favorite's.

Warnings
A alluded-to sexual encounter, nothing explicit but still mentioned; mild violence.

Extras
Kristin Cashore has proved to be one of those really likable authors and has provided the first two chapters on her website! Check them out!

Take a look at Kristin's blog.