Why (5)

This week the question I asked myself was: Why do YA novels have so many love triangles?

Since this question popped into my head I had to ask myself how I felt about love triangles. I realized for the most part I don't mind them. Love triangles always have readers wondering who is the character going to select. I feel as though it adds to the tension in the novel. As I'm reading I ask myself who should the character choose? Who makes the better fit with the lead? And who do I want to see them with? I love thinking about this as I read wondering if my choice will be right. I also think it has something to do with picking sides. Readers get to say they are Team A or Team B and they have someone to rally around as the story continues. I also read more quickly so that I can find out who the lead will eventually end up with.

Of course there are also issues with love triangles that can get annoying. If the lead takes forever to choose someone that can lead me, the reader to say enough already. Pick someone and stop leading the other character on. Or perhaps if the lead does not pick the person we have been rooting for them to be with I tend to feel let down. Though I must say that hasn't happened too often. Another downside to a love triangle is that sometimes even though the character selected the person that was right for them, someone always gets hurt. After getting to know these characters it's always sad when they inevitably end up getting hurt.

Love triangles can have both good and bad sides. What are your feelings about love triangles? Do you love them, hate them or do you really not mind them?

Why? (3)

This week I asked myself, why did I wait so long to read that book? I am referring to Smokeless Fire by Samantha Young. I have already read the first 2 books in her Warriors of Ankh series, Blood Will Tell and Blood Past earlier this year and I absolutely adored them. The 3rd book Shades of Blood comes out this month for which I am extremely happy. What is so important about these books? The author has a way of writing that drew me in completely. I wanted to know what was going to happen to the characters and how the plot was going to unfold. If you haven't read them yet, I suggest you give them a shot.


So why did it take my so long to read Smokeless Fire, if I absolutely loved her other novels? I guess I just didn't realize how much I would enjoy reading this novel. I read Smokeless Fire in a matter of hours and was left wondering, why didn't I read this book sooner? The book is about a girl whose life changes when she discovers that there are Jinn all around her and that she has a connection to them. Just like with Blood Will Tell and Blood Past I was drawn into the world that Samantha Young created. I loved learning about the history of the Jinn and watching the main characters: Ari, Charlie, and Jai navigate through their world.

What I am really trying to say is: I should have read this book the second it came out. It has such an original concept that I will definitely want to learn more about it.

Are there any novels that you waited awhile to read and then wondered why you waited? If so let me know.

Why? (2)

Last week I touched on books that left me feeling less than satisfied. Even though it was cathartic to get that topic off my back this week I would like to focus on a more positive topic. Books that  have left me wanting more. Have you ever read a book and when you got to the end you just wished the next book in the series was already out. And you were asking yourself WHY? That has happened quite a few times to me.

Blood Promise
The first book where this happened was Blood Promise by Richelle Mead. I picked up the first book in this series not knowing what to expect. But once I started it, I didn't want to put it down. I read the first book in one sitting then promptly went out and got the other three books that were out at the time. After I finished Blood Promise I nearly died realizing I would have to wait nearly a year for the next book to come out.

I loved the characters, the plot and especially the world that Richelle Mead created in this series. Rose was an exciting female lead who was not only strong but also vulnerable. Then there was Dimitri and the endlessly charming Adrian. After finishing Blood Promise I was speechless I needed to know what was going to happen next. Here's where the waiting came in. So I was left to wonder what Richelle Mead would do next to these beloved characters. I pondered, I re-read, and finally finally the book was released and I was able to read what came next. But then I had the same issue waiting. It could drive a girl crazy. Luckily there are so many amazing series' out there that I was able to stave off the agony. Okay maybe that's a tad dramatic.

City of Ashes
My next Why book, was City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare. All I can say about the first two books is Oh My Goodness! I can't seriously be expected to wait to find out what happens next with Jace and Clary. But I had to and I did. Eventually I was rewarded for my patience with City of Glass.

Again the world was amazing as were the characters and the plot. Clary was an interesting character that developed throughout the series.She was timid but underneath she had a strength that was just waiting to come out. What can I say about Jace? Is he seriously fictional? I have to give major props to Cassandra Clare for creating such a wonderfully broken, heroic character. And again I find myself waiting but this time I am looking forward to City of Lost Souls. But as I stated before I have found more great novels out there in need of reading.

Are there any books that have made you say: Why must I wait so long for the next book to come out?