Top Ten Tuesday: Best/Worst Series Endings

(Sorry I haven't been on in awhile, I just did a very big move!)

Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is a weekly feature where we get to talk about our ten favourite things.

This week's topic is: Top Ten Best/Worst Series Endings

I anticipate the ending of the series the moment I finish the first book. In a perfect world, these endings would do everything justice and wrap up the series without any loose ends. Some series did this perfectly, but others fell flat.

The Best

1. With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent: I've said it before and I'll say it again, this series was perfect. So much happened throughout the novels that who knows how it may have ended. But Vincent ended it just the way I wanted

2. Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready: This series was perfect from the start and it just got better near the end. Aura and Zach are perfection.

3. The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan: I actually liked the last two books more than the first in this series. I related to the twins more so than Mary and I liked that they took place in modern times. Series that are told from different characters always win in my books, I love seeing new tales and falling in love with new people.

4. The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien: I think we'll all agree that there was a lot of talk of trees in The Fellowship of the Ring, and the series just got better as the books went on. The final book was enthralling and epic and turned me into a total Ringer.

5. Black Heart by Holly Black: This whole series blew me away. It was completely different than anything I've read and there was no telling how everything would end. 

The Worst

1. Endlessly by Kiersten White: I started out loving this series, but it took me awhile to read the final book. Maybe it's because I didn't read it right away, or because it just wasn't what I expected it to be, but it just wasn't the Effie I loved in the first one.

2. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins: Now, don't get me wrong, The Hunger Games is one of my favourite series, but the first two books were just so much stronger than the final one. It did resolve all the issues and the epilogue made me cry, but it didn't live up to my expectations. 

3. Requiem by Lauren Oliver: Another book that was good in its own right, but just didn't live up to what I thought it would be. The first book was so strong that it would have been hard to keep up with that, but Oliver is such a strong writer that I loved reading it just the same.

4. Sever by Lauren DeStefano: After reading Fever,  I wasn't sure how this series would go. It certainly didn't go in the direction I thought it would, and though this wasn't the best way to end what could have been a great series, DeStefano is still a great author.

5. Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella: The first three books in this series were amazing. Becky is funny and relatable and I couldn't wait to see what kind of antics she would get into. But Kinsella kept writing when she should have stopped and I wish it were still just those three books. It's almost like she's just writing them to appaise us, almost like fan fiction, when the series could have ben strong enough four books ago. 

Agree? Disagree? Let me know!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I'd Like to See Turned Into Movies or TV Shows

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week they post a new topic that the participants come up with a top ten list for.

This week's topic is Books I'd like to see turned into movies or TV shows

1. Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent: By far my favourite series and I think it would make a great TV show. There are too many books to make movies out of them, but there's more than enough content there to get through some seasons, and even add some new content, I won't mind.

2. The Curse Workers series by Holly Black: Another fantastic series that would make a great show. There could be so much back story created with both Cassel and Lila and we could explore some of the tricks and mischief that happened before the series began.

3. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: I fell in love with this book, these characters, and Paris! This make a fantastic movie with so many amazing visuals and swoon worthy romance. 

4. Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder: I read this book a while ago, but it's stuck with me since. This would make a great sci-fi movie for a younger audience with twists and turns and mysteries throughout it. 

5. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer: The world Meyer has built in these books would look fabulous on screen. The characters are sharp and strong and visuals play an important part throughout these books. I'd die if I got to see Cinder and Scarlett light it up in a theatre!

6. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi: Dystopians have become a hit with The Hunger Games and I think this one would make a great follow up after Divergent. The atmosphere would look great on screen, especially the Aether. 

7. This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers: I need to have Summers on every list because she is such a great author. This zombie book is unlike anything I've read and it captures what teens would feel during an ordeal like this so perfectly. It would hit some people hard and it would be visually creepy and stunning.

8. Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella: By far my favourite stand alone from her and if they don't plan on making anymore Confessions of a Shopaholic movies, why not try another one of her books? They are all so funny and charming and would make the perfect rom-coms!

9. Shade series by Jeri Smith-Ready: I think this could make a good series, but it would also work well as movies. A world where people under 17 can see ghosts would look awesome on screen and I think it would be nice to be able to expand some character while still focusing on Aura. Maybe even have some of the first season be pre Logan death? There's a lot to explore in this world and I'd love to see it done!

10. True Believer by Nicholas Sparks: I had to put Sparks on here because the movies made from his books are always so wonderful. There is always so much love and heartbreak that it can be overwhelming, but sometimes that's what you need. This one is one of my favourites because of the ending and I think it would transfer well onto film (just like all his other books!)

I'd love to see any one of these books beautified on screen, either large or small, and if I'm lucky enough to see just one of them, I'll be happy. Any one have any doubles? I'd love to hear what you think and what your lists look like!

Review: Black Heart

Black Heart
Author: Holly Black
Published: April 3, 2012
296 pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

In a world where Magic is illegal.

Cassel Sharpe has the most deadly ability of all. With one touch, he can transform any object - including a person - into something else entirely. And that makes him a wanted man. The Feds are willing to forgive all his past crimes if he'll only leave his con artist family behind and go straight. But why does going straight feel so crooked?

For one thing, it means being on the opposite side of the law from Lila, the girl he loves. She's the daughter of a mob boss and getting ready to join the family business herself. Though Cassel is pretty sure she can never love him back, he can't stop obsessing over her. Which would be bad enough, even if her father wasn't keeping Cassel's mother prisoner in a posh apartment and threatening not to let her leave until she returns the priceless diamond she scammed off him years ago. Too bad she can't remember where she put it.

The Feds say they need Cassel to get rid of a powerful man who is spinning dangerously out of control. But if they want Cassel to use his unique talent to hurt people, what separates the good guys from the bad ones? Or is everyone just out to con him?

Time is running out, and all Cassel's magic and cleverness might not be enough to save him. With no easy answers and no one he can trust, love might be the most dangerous gamble of all.

There is no way for me to truly express how I feel about this series. I want to be a emotion worker so I can convince everyone to read this. I want to be a memory worker so I can experience it all again for the first time. I want to be a dream worker so I can make everyone dream about these words, these characters. I think everyone's lives would be so much better with these books in them. They are in a league of their own and are still haunting me days after finishing the final book. Black Heart does what every good finale should do. It creates tension, making us unsure which way our main character will turn, and wraps everything up to make us happy after our almost heart attacks. From first sentence to last, this book kept me wanting more and I've never been so scared and unsure of what would happen in the end. 

Cassel's life seems to get more difficult every day. His would be girlfriend is in training to take over one of the biggest mob families and he's training to work for the feds. Given the task to find a diamond that was once stolen from the mob and another task to make a powerful man disappear, Cassel once again finds himself racing against time. It doesn't help that he keeps running into Lila and desperately wants to tell her how he feels. 

Everything I want to say about this book will spoil it. Cassel steps up to the plate and really proves himself worthy of the power he has. Lila breaks my heart because I know she doesn't really want to take over the family business but has no other choice. Cassel struggles through a lot in this addition, needing to decide if he will work for the good guys or the bad, and how far he'll go to prove what he's capable of. The minor characters keep their clever lines and unique personalities. I literally had no idea how this story would end and the last 50 pages were a whirlwind of emotion. I'm so glad that this series is so different from everything else that's out there right now. It sets itself apart and is classic in a way that I know it will be read for decades to come. 

“She wears trouble like a crown. If she ever falls in love, she’ll fall like a comet, burning the sky as she goes.” 

Review: Red Glove

Red Glove
Author: Holly Black
Published: April 5, 2011
325 pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth — he’s the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything — or anyone — into something else.

That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she’s human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila’s been cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion-worker mom. And if Lila’s love is as phony as Cassel’s made-up memories, then he can’t believe anything she says or does.

When Cassel’s oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue — crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too — they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can’t trust anyone — least of all, himself?

Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game too dangerous to lose.

I couldn't resist falling into Cassel's world again just as soon as I left. With Red Glove on hand already, I dove in as soon as I put down White Cat, and boy was I not disappointed! I hardly ever like a male protagonist as much as I love Cassel. I find it hard to relate to them most of the time, but I found myself rooting for him every page and hoping everything would work out.

The story starts with a bang and there is no escaping it the rest of the way. When Cassel is recruited to find his brother's murderer, he can't help but suspect everyone he knows. When you live in a world full of criminal and mobs, it's hard to trust anyone. And the one person Cassel really wants to trust, his somewhat girlfriend Lila, has been worked over to love him and it's all he can do not to all into the trap. While he tries to let her feelings diminish on their own, he forces himself to try and solve the murder. The problem is, he's got too many suspects, him being one of them.

Cassel is a transformation worker, the most powerful worker out there, but he's only just discovered this and trying to keep it hidden because he knows what people will do to him if they find out. While struggling to keep his hands off Lila and stay one step ahead of those following him, Cassel finds out more and more secrets about his family and more reasons not to trust anyone. This is certainly not a romance story, but Cassel feels the same pain anyone would who's in love. In a world where love can be handed to you on a platter, Cassel must decide if he wants to take that chance or resist it. 

The film noir feel is still here and still strong. With every turn of the page, there's more to the mystery and there's no telling who is responsible for what. This series is such a nice change from everything else out there and the classic feel to it makes me think it will live on for quite awhile. Black has a way of digging us into a hole and making us love it down there. We know things probably won't end well for Cassel. We know his family is up to no good. We know what he's capable of but we love him all the same. There's no telling where the story will go from here, but I know it won't be pretty. But I can't wait.

“The truth is messy. It's raw and uncomfortable. You can't blame people for preferring lies.” 

“The moment she was cursed, I lost her. Once it wears off- soon- she will be embarrassed to remember things that she said, things she did, things like this. No matter how solid she feels in my arms, she is made of smoke.” 

Review: White Cat

White Cat
Author: Holly Black
Published: May 4, 2010
320 pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

Cassel comes from a family of Curse Workers - people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all criminals. Many become mobsters and con artists. But not Cassel. He hasn't got magic, so he's an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail - he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.

Cassel has carefully built up a facade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his facade starts to crumble when he finds himself sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He's noticing other disturbing things too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he must unravel his past and his memories. To find out the truth, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen.

The Curse Workers series is unlike any young adult series I've read so far. Black creates a film noir world that's just as modern as it is vintage. Everyone wears gloves to protect themselves from workers and to protect the workers from detection. Gloves are as common as pants, but workers find ways around them. Cassel comes from a family of workers, him being the only one with a power. To make up for his lack of abilities, he has become a very good con man. I think my favourite part of reading was just to see how he'd get in and out of situations without getting caught. He's good, like really good. 

Cassel has taken to conning those at his fancy private school. He's doing pretty good at pretending to be normal when he suddenly starts to sleepwalk. Then he dreams of a white cat that he can't help reminding him of his old friend Lila, someone he killed three years before. When stranger things happen and he starts to forget important parts of his life, Cassel starts to feel his life unraveling and he won't sleep until he figures out exactly what's going on. 

I thought the curse workers idea was brilliant. Many people are born as workers, but it has become illegal, meaning that if you know you're a worker, you're automatically a criminal. It's hard enough being a teenager, let alone not knowing what you're capable of doing. The underground world of workers is dark and sketchy, and people can buy charms to protect themselves from workers. The talents that come with working are clever and believeable. Emotion workers can change how you feel towards people. Luck workers can guarantee you good luck or bad. Death workers can kill you with a touch, and memory workers can erase any part of your memory they please and replace it with a new one easily. No one it's illegal and there are people out there trying to get rid of all of them and make it mandatory to get tested. Workers have become mobsters, controlling the underbelly of the world while people try not to touch bare hands to bare skin. I love the subtleness of the gloves and how easily it is for the workers to do their business anyway. 

This is the first series I've read by Black, but I was blown away by her writing and descriptions. I completely felt for Cassel, which I've found a hard thing to do with male narrators. I was eager to figure out what was happening to him and who the white cat really was. I wanted the bad guys to get what was coming to them and I wanted Cassel to get the girl. The twists and turns left me gasping and ripping through the chapters and the ending came too quickly. It's a good thing I already had Red Glove on hand to start reading immediately after.

Mobsters, magic, and cons left right and centre separate this series from every other series out there. It played out like a old mystery and I could picture everything happening in black and white. It has the dame, the guns, and the mystery to leave you wanting more. Black has hit this genre on the head.

“Once someone's hurt you, it's harder to relax around them, harder to think of them as safe to love. But it doesn't stop you from wanting them.” 

“Clever as the Devil and twice as pretty.”