After Death

Jacqueline E. Smith is a local (Dallas) writer whom I discovered on the shelf at a small town library. I read the first two books in her series, and while I thoroughly enjoyed the books, I didn't push the issue when we didn't go back to that library. Fast forward to a Texas Teen Book Festival as we are leaving the main room when a book catches my eye. "Hey, I've read those books. They were great! Wonder if the author is here?" I was going to just keep walking (thanks social anxiety), but my mother refuses to pass up the chance to tell an author they have a fan. Twenty minutes later, I walk out with 3 new autographed books and Jacqueline and I are mutually following each other on Instagram. Awesome day!

I meant to read this third book back in January, for the "A" in this year's alphabet challenge. But between house hunting, moving house, the end of the school year, things have been chaotic and I have finally sat down to finish a book for the first time this year!

Guys! This books was great! I already love Jacqueline's writing from the first two books, and her characters are funny, real, and just the best. So it isn't a surprise that I was immediately in love at the start of this last book. That I finished it in one day should have been expected. The story follows Michael, Kate, and Luke primarily with appearances from the always wonderful Brink as well as some truly confusing and vile lesser characters. The story left me second guessing things left and right up until the end when I was pleasantly surprised. Oh, and yes, I teared up at the end, it was beautiful. I am so glad I have this series on my shelf to revisit in the future! And of course I am looking forward to trying out her other books! Go read these, now! You will love them!

Noragami: Stray God vol. 2

So, I went ahead and picked up the next book in this series, even though I was not thrilled with the first one, simply because I really wanted to give this series a chance. The premise still seems interesting and I know that the annoying character is not always what he seems.

I am glad that I choose to continue. The disjointed story line present int he first volume is nowhere in this one. Yato has now found a new shinki whom he names Yukine and the young girl Hiyori is still following them in hopes of figuring out a way to stop what has been happening to her. With this volume we see more into Yato's serious side and a lot more into the character of Yukine, his new weapon. We even get a teaser at Yato's back story, making me hope that we will see much more about it in future installments.

This is a series that you are going to need to stick with beyond the first manga if  the story sounds interesting. Because I fully think it will be worth it in the end.