Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold
Kelly's Rating (5 stars): * * * *

Not a bad addition to the Chalion-Ibra novels. It took a little to get over my shock that the main character was Ista instead of the same main character in the Curse of Chalion. Once I settled into the book, it really was a wonderful story to read. Poor sweet Ista, who cannot feel sorry for her wasted life? This book draws you in and there are times when you cannot fathom how the characters are going to get out of the pickle they are in. This intrigue pulls you along for the rest of the story and similar to Bujolds other novels the story ends leaving you feeling very emotionally satisfied.

Amazon.com Summary
In this sequel to The Curse of Chalion (2001), rich in sumptuous detail and speculative theology, dowager royina Ista Dy Baocia undertakes a pilgrimage to ease her soul-and finds instead that in Chalion, Bujold's handsomely crafted fantasy world ruled by Five Gods "just around some strange corner of perception," a more dangerous fate awaits than she could ever have imagined.Swordplay and sorcery sweep sensitive, sensible 40-year-old Ista into Chalion's border stronghold of Porifors, where enemy Roknari incursions and demons from the Fifth God's hell threaten Ista's realm, held precariously at bay by the charismatic Arhys dy Lutez. [more]

The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
Kelly's Rating (5 stars): * * * * *

This book may seem to have a slow beginning, but in reality, all it's doing is just setting you up for the shockwave rollercoaster ride that it takes you on from about a quarter of the way into the book, right to the finish!

As always, Bujold's character creations are inspiring and their history compells you to keep on reading, just to find out more about them and to experience their life through their eyes. You get the feeling that as powerful and complex as her characters are, she has only just scratched upon the surface of what really drives them.

I couldn't put the book down. It went with me to work, to bed, at the dinner table, next to my computer, even in the car when I was a passenger. Bujold has proven to me yet again, why she is my favourite author.

Amazon.com Summary
Adult/High School-Iselle, the royesse (princess) of Chalion, and her lady-in-waiting, Bertriz, need a new tutor. Cazaril, the man chosen for the job, has been scarred, physically and mentally, from secret betrayals by the very people who now rule Chalion through Iselle's uncle, and who seek to control her younger brother, the heir, as well. To rescue the royesse, and save Chalion, Cazaril must play matchmaker between Iselle and the prince of another realm, fight off assassins, lift a century-old curse, and risk everything-learning not to run from his own love for Bertriz-along the way. [more]

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter 6)[Adult Edition] by J.K. Rowling
Kelly's Rating (4 stars): * * * *

When you finish reading this book, one thought will cross your mind - "Oh my gosh!"

The next book will definitely stand out from the rest in it's normal progress. That's all I can say without giving away any spoilers. The books get harder and harder to write about, without giving anything away. Book after book, they just hit you with more and more blows. The blows get bigger and bigger until you read the Half-Blood prince and that's when you say (in polite terms): "Holy Sugar! What are they going to do now?" Read it yourself to understand why!

Amazon.com Summary
A magnificent spectacle more than worth the price of admission, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will blow you away. However, given that so much has gone into protecting the secrets of the book (including armored trucks and injunctions), don't expect any spoilers in this review. It's much more fun not knowing what's coming--and in the case of Rowling's delicious sixth book, you don't want to know. Just sit tight, despite the earth-shattering revelations that will have your head in your hands as you hope the words will rearrange themselves into a different story. [more]

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter 5) (Harry Potter) by J.K. Rowling
Kelly's Rating (4 stars): * * * *

Not as captivating as the other books but you do get to find out some juicy knowledge about the reasons why Lord Voldemort wanted to kill Harry when he was a baby, in the first place! Harry also goes through some adolescent trials and tribulations with Cho Chang. Hogwarts becomes infiltrated with Ministry of Magic staff and the press continues to demean Harry which made me feel annoyed and frustrated with events more than once while reading this book, but that's just me getting taken along for a ride with this story.

Amazon.com Summary
As his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry approaches, 15-year-old Harry Potter is in full-blown adolescence, complete with regular outbursts of rage, a nearly debilitating crush, and the blooming of a powerful sense of rebellion. Harry is feeling especially edgy at the lack of news from the magic world, wondering when the freshly revived evil Lord Voldemort will strike. Returning to Hogwarts will be a relief... or will it? [more]

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
Kelly's Rating (5 stars): * * * * *

By far the most compelling of the first 4 books in the series. The first three books are complete novels in themselves and the story arcs are whole and leaves you satisfied at the end of the book. The Goblet of Fire however, grabs you from the beginning with the introduction of a new Triwizard Tournament Challenge and the plot line doesn't let you go until the very end of the book. And once you've reached the end of the book, a major plot arc opens. You'll have to read the next one after this, because this time, the main story arc becomes 10 times more interesting and compelling.

Amazon.com Summary
In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire , J.K. Rowling offers up equal parts danger and delight--and any number of dragons, house-elves, and death-defying challenges. Now 14, her orphan hero has only two more weeks with his Muggle relatives before returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Yet one night a vision harrowing enough to make his lightning-bolt-shaped scar burn has Harry on edge and contacting his godfather-in-hiding, Sirius Black. [more]

Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
Kelly's Rating (4 stars): * * * *

Excellent premise for a story with magical Djinn and Weather Wardens. This book is set in modern day time with a little magical twist to the weather and to all the elements that make up the world such as fire, earth, wind, water. This book is very easy to get into and has refreshing, believable and lovable characters and of course some not so lovable characters! This book has a great story arc that keeps you reading till the early morning hours of tomorrow and manages to make you feel completely satisfied when you finish the book. However for me, just knowing there is another book or three in the series just makes me want to read those too! A great read. I enjoyed it immensely.

Amazon.com Summary
Joanne Baldwin is a weather warden, who can control the weather and keep it from being more chaotic and destructive than it already is. She is on the run, though, for she is accused of killing a senior warden, which she did, sort of: a thread of corruption runs through some of the most powerful wardens, one of which put a Demon Mark on her and then died. [more]

Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan

Still reading...Up to Chapter 9

Amazon.com Summary
While more recent entries have maintained that beauty and scope, the pace has slowed to a crawl as the central characters dispersed in six directions. In contrast, the latest explodes with motion, as multiple plot lines either conclude or advance, and the march to Tarmon Gai'don—the climactic last battle between the Dragon Reborn and the Dark One—begins in earnest. [more]