Recommends to Jessie

Recommends is going to be an occassional post for friends or family. Different people like different books. In this case, Jessie likes young adult, fantasy books, especially when they have a touch of romance. :) The following are three books that I have read and am personally recommending to her from books that I think meet her particular criteria.



Graceling [1]
Cashore, Kristin. 2008. Fantasy.
http://www.amazon.com/Graceling-Kristin-Cashore/dp/0547258305/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272748855&sr=1-1

Katsa is a Graceling, a being with a special talent marked by different colored eyes. Her uncle, the king, uses her as his personal enforcer and assassin because her grace is killing. Trapped in a life she hates Katsa doesn’t know how to escape from under her uncle’s thumb. She rebels by forming the Council, a group that is dedicated to providing justice for the underdogs. In her attempt to foil a disturbing plot Katsa meets Prince Po, another Graceling. Sparks fly in more ways than one as Katsa and Po team up to save the day.

It’s a fantasy story with a romantic element. I loved Po, he was awesome. Katsa doesn’t trust easily because of her Grace, who wants to be good at killing? There are all kinds of little twists and turns that will keep you interested. You’ll love this one. I think I’m going to reread it soon. I just put it on my to read pile. :) A good, kick-butt heroine. Besides, it would be awesome to have a Grace, I’m kind of jealous!

Skulduggery Pleasant [1]
Landy, Derek. 2007. Fantasy.
http://www.amazon.com/Skulduggery-Pleasant-Derek-Landy/dp/B001KBZ6DE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272747761&sr=1-4

When Stephanie’s favorite uncle dies and leaves her his house she is amazed and a little confused. Then someone breaks into that house and tries to kill her. Enter Skulduggery Pleasant the skeleton detective who saves Stephanie and introduces her to a whole new world of magic and mystery. He enlists her help in tracking down an ancient scepter before Serpine (bad guy!) can find it and use it to conquer the world.

This one is cool. It’s written by a British screenwriter so the action is better written than in some other books. There’s no romance in this one, but I’m reading the third one and there is the possibility of some in that one. This one has a bunch of different characters with all kinds of different powers that is kind of cool. Someone told me that it was awesome to listen to because the author is a screenwriter but I didn’t like it. I think it’s hard to follow the weird character names when you can’t see them written!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone [1]
Rowling, J.K. 1997. Fantasy.
http://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Sorcerers-Stone-Anniversary/dp/054506967X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272749127&sr=1-1

I think it’s safe to say that you know the story of this one but I really really really recommend reading it. Yes, he’s young in this one but these books are crazy well written and they’re like comfort books for me. I reread them fairly often. And the books are better than the movies (and the movies are awesome!) It’s short, you should totally read it! Plus, I bet you haven’t watched the movie in awhile and don’t remember it very well. :)