The Bronze Key (Magesterium bk 3)

by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
PRMS hardcover 249 pages
genre: YA fantasy

I didn't like this one as well as the first two. I don't want to give any spoilers, but the scene at the end was disappointing (and of course, now I have to read the next book to see . . . )

Alex Strike
Anastasia Tarquin
romance
spy
betrayal

The summer experience for Aaron staying with Call and his dad was such a contrast with the previous summer when Aaron stayed with Tamara.

The scene where the kids talk to the elementals raised more questions than ever. I'll probably keep reading this series, but I did not enjoy this venture quite as much.

The Copper Gauntlet

by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
PRMS hardcover 284 pages
genre: YA fantasy,  magic

Callum assumes the worst when he and his father have a falling out. Call, Aaron, Tamara, and Havoc go out on a self-determined mission but gain Jasper as an unlikely member of their team. Call's ability to communicate with the Chaos-filled humans both scares him and empowers him. A quick, rollicking adventure with a happy ending and notes of caution for what will come next.

The Iron Trial

by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Carver County Library paperback 295 pages
genre: YA fantasy, magic

I enjoyed this far more than I anticipated! Neither of these authors are ones I especially like and the cover looks creepy, but I was pleasantly surprised. Callum "Call" Hunt has grown up with a damaged leg, a pronounced lip, and a sassy mouth. His mother died when he was just an infant and his father has always bad-mouthed the mages and the Magesterium. But when Call is summoned to the Iron Trial and strives to fail the tests, he is accepted by Master Rufus, the same man who trained his parents in the use of magic.

Lots of adventure, mystery, and some lovely coming-of-age moments. Tamara, Aaron, Jasper, Celia, and of course the evil minions and Chaos-ridden creatures all make this an intriguing story. I read book two last night and will have book three done before I go back to school on Monday. When my book club meets to discuss this title, I'll be ready to recommend the rest of the series!

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

by Holly Black
Hennepin County Library hardcover 419 pages
genre: YA horror

This book was just creepy. Tana wakes up in a tub after a major drunken party (page one) and finds all her friends are corpses. She can tell they were killed by vampires and she wants to get out before dark falls again. Her ex-boyfriend Aidan (who is a major league selfish jerk) is tied to a bed and alive but infected by the vampires. A vampire named Gavriel is chained to a chair next to the bed. She rescues both of them and off they go to the closest Coldtown (contained vampire city). This book glamorizes the vampire culture while pretending to warn of the horrors. Too many descriptions of blood being licked from fresh cuts . . . too many vivid images of disgusting depravity. I almost liked the budding romance of Tana and Gavriel, but this book was way too horrible for me.