I was seriously contemplating giving this one star. The Pledge had an interesting premise, but it utterly failed.

The sole reason I didn't give this one star was Xander and Brooklynn. They were definitely the most interesting characters (far more so than Max and Charlie) and if the story was written from one of their perspective, it would have been so much more fun to read.

I really didn't like Charlie. Something about her rubbed me the wrong way. But I hated Max a hundred times more than Charlie. Max was a condescending smug ASSHOLE. He follows Charlie. He lies to her. He acts strange and then pretend like he doesn't know what she's talking about when she calls him out on it. He's super protective of her, and he met her, like what, two days ago? Come on! Stop being a stalker, Max. But it's not like Charlie cares. She likes him and he's "intrigued" with her from the moment they meet. Can you say Insta-love? Yup. 

This "dystopia" world that the author tried to create did not work. So, apparently Ludania at war and there's a lot of "restriction" and "rules" and stuff. Yet they're allowed to go to parties and clubs and stuff? And school? They're free to just wander around the whole city, basically. What? It doesn't make sense.

So I was unhappy about how The Pledge turned out. Then I read the author's note at the front of the book, and found out this was based on an interview with a woman who was a child during the Holocaust. WHAT THE FUCK?! How about instead of making a FAKE "dystopia" world (and a crappy one at that), you write a historical fiction that pays homage to the REAL VICTIMS!!! Huh? Is that too hard, Ms. Derting?! 

If you can't tell, I don't recommend this book. 

These Broken Stars is definitely not going to appeal to everyone. But I, for the most part, really enjoyed it. 

Things I liked:
•Tarver. He was my favorite character, because *swoons* he's awesome. He's smart and funny and he respects Lilac. He's just such a great guy. You'll have to read it to see for yourself.
•No insta-love! Lilac and Tarver's relationship slowly builds up. At first they don't really like each other, then they slow grow to like and then love each other. Yay! No insta-love! 
•The story. You know, parts of it were boring, as the majority of it is spent wandering around in the wilderness of a strange planet. But the beginning certainly was interesting, and I liked how the story unfolded

Unfortunately, These Broken Stars wasn't perfect.
Things I didn't like:
•I didn't particularly like Lilac. She was whiny at first, but she did grow out of it. In the end, she was bearable, but I just could not connect with her character. I like Tarver far more.
•There's no explanation of how this futuristic world came to be. What year is this supposed to take place in? When did we (humanity) start living on other planets? Did we contact any other species other than human? The author never really answers any of these questions. But at least I could picture the setting. That's good.

I really enjoyed These Broken Stars, and recommend it. Three stars.

Incarceron could easily have been five stars. It has an amazing prison. I mean, a prison that's ALIVE? That is mind-blowing. It could have been epicness.

But it wasn't, sadly.

Let me be clear right from the start: This wasn't a bad book. I fairly enjoyed it. The beginning was a bit slow, but bit by bit the world both inside and outside Incarceron unfolds and there is great world building. But I still had a lot of questions at the end. Who are the Sapienti? The Civicry? The Steel Wolves? Is Finn a royal or not? What does Incarceron LOOK LIKE?? Is Incarceron truly "alive" or is it merely a machine that can think and stuff? Why is the Queen so evil? How was this government established? What happened to Sapphique?

If I have a ton of questions after reading, the book will not get more than three stars. 

Claudia was annoying. Finn was boring. There is a forced romance between them. Very forced. They don't actually meet in person until the very end of the novel, and Claudia only likes Finn because she thinks he is Giles, who was secretly alive the whole time. She doesn't even know for sure if he is Giles! Is that insta-love or what? I hated Attia. I think Jared and Claudia have more chemistry than Finn and Claudia. I mean, everyone in the novel already thinks Claudia and Jared are in love. Why not?

The most intriguing character was easily Keiro. He's not a good guy. He lies, and steals, and kills. But he's loyal to his "brother" Finn and he's not completely evil. A book from his perspective, the perspective of a guy who isn't perfect, but isn't evil, could be all kinds of awesome. 

Incarceron was not a bad book. I enjoyed it. Did I like it? Yes. Did I love it? No. I did not.

Will I read the sequel?.....maybe.

I am so sad. The Curse Workers series has been one of my favorites, and I am sad that it's over. This is an outstanding series, and I highly recommend.

This book isn't quite like the other two. There's a lot more action. The main action is Cassel working with the Feds to take down a powerful man who has become very mentally unstable after being "worked" on. Surprisingly, the whole deal with the Resurrection Diamond was only in the story a handful of times, and it was never resolved. There's also a few subplots. Very action packed.

Cassel has got to be one of the most lovable, most AWESOME protagonists I have ever had the pleasure of reading about. He's clever. He's sarcastic and funny. He's complex and he has a dark side. I love him so much, and I'm sad to say goodbye to him. If I had to pick a second favorite character.... I can't. I love all the characters; Lila, Sam, Daneca, Cassel's granddad, even Barron. I love all of them! 

I will check out more of Holly Black's work in the future, but honestly the Curse Worker series was so amazing that I doubt anything else can even compare. 

Book #1: White Cat
Book #2: Red Glove
Book #3: Black Heart

This book... Oh my God, I really liked it. I loved it.

Our protagonist is Arnold "Junior" Spirit. He lives on the Spokane Indian reservation with his mom, dad, grandma and older sister. He was born with a bunch of medical problems and is picked on by everyone but his family and his best friend, Rowdy. He's what you might called dorky, but I loved him. He's very easy to relate to. 

Even though a lot of sad things happen throughout the story, the narration has wit and humor, so I was never overwhelmed with the sad parts. It's a perfect balance between sad and happy. Some parts made me tear up. Some parts made me laugh. And when a book can get me to laugh, or cry, or both, it is a winner for me.