Shattered Dreams: Book Review

Shattered Dreams

by Ellie James

Publication Date: December 6th

Talk about master of misdirection.  This book was just full of confusing side paths.  So confusing, that by the end of the book I was rather lost as to the ultimate bad guy.  I am not really sure who he was or much else about that.  Although, the confusion was a good mirror of what Trinity was feeling.  I can't imagine what it would be like having to learn to navigate those images.  I am amazed she held on to reality as well as she did.  Is anyone else a bit ready for Chase to leave the picture?  In many ways there was so much build up and energy spent on that relationship that seems to be rather odd.  I like Dylan better and would much rather get to know him than Chase.  Maybe it is that dark and mysterious air around Dylan that grabs my attention.  The whole Chase has secrets and stuff just doesn't do it for me.  He is just too perfect, annoyingly so.  By the epilogue I was so thoroughly confused that I really don't understand what happened there at all.  I have a few guesses but still the ending was a bit of a let down after all the misdirection.  Somehow, I expected the villain to be a bit more awesome.  I suppose he is but we haven't technically met him yet since this the first book.

Aside from all of that it was a good read and was engaging.  I did get a bit tired of the internal drama in Trinity's head.  When she ran off I could only wish to reach in and give her a good smacking.  To me it just seemed she was been a bit too dumb.

Waiting on Wednesday: Angel Fire

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Angel Fire

by L.A. Weatherly

Publication Date: October 1st

From Goodreads

This is the thrilling second chapter in the electrifying "Angel Trilogy". Angels will never be seen in the same way again. Gorgeous, charismatic Alex has the courage and skill of a trained Angel Killer. Unique, dazzling Willow has the beauty and power that comes with being half-angel. As the power of the malevolent Church of Angels grows, now it's up to Alex and Willow to train a new team of Angel Killers. Willow soon finds her half-angel identity met with hostility by some of the other AKs, while privately, she must wrestle with the knowledge that her father, Raziel, is a depraved, evil angel. However, while life in the AK training camp is tough, at least Alex and Willow are together. But when Alex discovers that the death of his brother and fellow Angel-Killer, Jake, was linked to a secret CIA mission to defeat the angels, he is forced to leave the camp to complete his brother's work... without Willow. Alex promised Willow he would never leave her, but with the fate of the human race at stake, destiny has ruled that Alex and Willow must be parted once more...

I was greatly pleased with the first book and am anticipating this one.  It should be a great addition.  I do however like the style of the other cover better.  One of these is just a bit too Buffy for me, and the other is well odd.

Darke: Book Review

Darke

by Angie Sage

Overall, another good installment for Septimus Heap.  Although, I must admit to a waning interest in the series.  Perhaps, I have just grown likes in a different direction.  Or maybe, sometimes characters just don't age fast enough for me.  I mean how much adventure can one person have in a lifetime.  Some of the characters are really starting to lose their appeal in this series as well.  One in particular I really wanted to reach in and smack was the mother.  I mean can you be any more irritating?

Eye Candy: IV

Here we are again.  Another week passed and more books to have crossed my visual path than my reading one.  So here are this last weeks eye candy.  Will any of them make the cut?

Oh the power of a good cover:

Illuminate
by Aimee Agresti
Reason: Cover, not too interested by the blurb
Where: Blob, Waiting on Wednesday

Rules of Attraction: Book Review

Rules of Attraction

by Simone Elkeles

I just love how well this author can create believable characters.  One can't help but adore and want the best for little Carlos.  He is just something else.  I can't say I would personally want to know him in real life but I am grateful for the opportunity in fiction.  My favorite thing about the Fuentes brothers is how deep they feel things.  They are very dedicated to family and when they fall in love they fall hard and permanent.  How sweet is that?  The other thing I just love was in the epilogue where he ends up facing a younger version of him, like a karmic payback.  It really made me laugh.

Things get really heated sexually in this book so beware.

Waiting on Wednesday: Carrier of the Mark

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Carrier of the Mark

by Leigh Fallon

Publication Date: October 4th

From Goodreads

Their love was meant to be.
When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRís.
But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

Now, this book I spotted several months ago and was taken with both the cover and the description.  Hopefully, it turns out to be all it appears.

Airhead: Book Review

Airhead

by Meg Cabot

This one took me a bit by surprise.  I suppose that has most to do with my ideas of how the book would go down.  I was just expecting the usual two look a likes switch places for awhile until they realize their life really isn't that bad.  Yada, yada, yada.  You know what I mean.  So when the whole switcheroo occurs in a complete bizarre and frankly unethical way I was shocked.  It just seems so wrong and yet their reasoning for the procedure seems so rational.  Basically, I want to see how this all ends up and I wonder just what would be the complications of such a procedure.  I do, however, have a hard time with her being modest and then suddenly having no problem with being nigh on naked all the time.  It just doesn't seem quite believable to me.

The last thing that really made me wonder was Lulu's theory that all boys are in love with you.  I just don't buy it.  Looking back I just don't think that all the guys were in love with me on some level.

Misfit: Book Review

Misfit

by Jon Skovron

Misfit is a perfect name for this book.  I felt as if someone had gone to a bunch of thrift stores and picked up random puzzle pieces.  Then forcibly put them together as one picture.  Ta da they said here is a masterpiece.  Yeah, not so much, it was ugly.  This book took far longer for me to get through than it should.  I ask myself, "Do I just hate demon related books?"  The answer is no I have taken a rather nice liking to some in the recent past.  There was mild swearing in this book and it felt so forced, as if the characters were trying to act like big adults.  Then the romantic interest was so weak and unappealing as to be retch worthy.  No wait, that would be too much effort.  So by the end of the book I felt more like the demon that they were trying to torture.  Yes, it was exquisite and who knows how I managed to finish it.  All of the characters should be medicated and placed in restraints.  Well, I guess all but the Mother who seems to be the one character that would have been worth following.  But as we are reminded multiple times she was pooped out and used as manure.  Yep, I am not kidding.  Pass this one up in favor of the far better choices out there.

100 Most Popular YA Books

I am finally getting around to adding my tallies for this list. Though technically these aren't all YA books. But it is fun anyway. I would definitely disagree with several of these books being worth the time.  Though I guess popular doesn't necessarily mean great.  So the total is 44 of the lines are somewhat explored.  A total of 123 books.  I almost reached the halfway point.  Does that make me a follower of the crowd or do I still have a bit of individuality left?

1. Alex Finn – Beastly
2. Alice Sebold – The Lovely Bones
3. Ally Carter – Gallagher Girls (1, 2, 3, 4)
4. Ally Condie – Matched
5. Alyson Noel – The Immortals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
6. Anastasia Hopcus – Shadow Hills
7. Angie Sage – Septimus Heap (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)(Reading # 6 right now)
8. Ann Brashares – The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (1, 2, 3, 4)
9. Anna Godbersen – Luxe (1, 2, 3, 4)
10. Anthony Horowitz – Alex Rider (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
11. Aprilynne Pike – Wings (1, 2, 3)
12. Becca Fitzpatrick – Hush, Hush (1, 2)
13. Brandon Mull – Fablehaven (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
14. Brian Selznick – The Invention of Hugo Cabret
15. Cassandra Clare – The Mortal Instruments (1, 2, 3, 4)
16. Carrie Jones – Need (1, 2, 3)
17. Carrie Ryan – The Forest of Hands and Teeth (1, 2, 3, 4)
18. Christopher Paolini – Inheritance (1, 2, 3, 4)
19. Cinda Williams Chima – The Heir Chronicles (1, 2, 3)
20. Colleen Houck – Tigers Saga (1, 2)
21. Cornelia Funke – Inkheart (1, 2, 3)
22. Ellen Hopkins – Impulse
23. Eoin Colfer – Artemis Fowl (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
24. Faraaz Kazi – Truly, Madly, Deeply
25. Frank Beddor – The Looking Glass Wars (1, 2, 3)
26. Gabrielle Zevin – Elsewhere
27. Gail Carson Levine – Fairest
28. Holly Black – Tithe (1, 2, 3)
29. J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
30. James Dashner – The Maze Runner (1, 2)
31. James Patterson – Maximum Ride (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
32. Jay Asher – Thirteen Reasons Why
33. Jeanne DuPrau – Books of Ember (1, 2, 3, 4)
34. Jeff Kinney – Diary of a Wimpy Kid (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
35. John Boyne – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
36. John Green – An Abundance of Katherines
37. John Green – Looking for Alaska
38. John Green – Paper Towns
39. Jonathan Stroud – Bartimaeus (1, 2, 3, 4)
40. Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl – Caster Chronicles (1, 2)
41. Kelley Armstrong – Darkest Powers (1, 2, 3)
42. Kristin Cashore – The Seven Kingdoms (1, 2)
43. Lauren Kate – Fallen (1, 2, 3)
44. Lemony Snicket – Series of Unfortunate Events (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
45. Libba Bray – Gemma Doyle (1, 2, 3)
46. Lisa McMann – Dream Catcher (1, 2, 3)
47. Louise Rennison – Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
48. M.T. Anderson – Feed
49. Maggie Stiefvater – The Wolves of Mercy Falls (1, 2, 3)
50. Margaret Peterson Haddix – Shadow Children (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
51. Maria V. Snyder – Study (1, 2, 3)
52. Markus Zusak – The Book Thief
53. Markus Zusak – I am the Messenger
54. Mark Haddon – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
55. Mary Ting – Crossroads
56. Maureen Johnson – Little Blue Envelope (1, 2)
57. Meg Cabot – All-American Girl (1, 2)
58. Meg Cabot – The Mediator (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
59. Meg Cabot – The Princess Diaries (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
60. Meg Rosoff – How I Live Now
61. Megan McCafferty – Jessica Darling (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
62. Megan Whalen Turner – The Queen’s Thief (1, 2, 3, 4)
63. Melina Marchetta – On the Jellicoe Road
64. Melissa de la Cruz – Blue Bloods (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
65. Melissa Marr – Wicked Lovely (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
66. Michael Grant – Gone (1, 2, 3, 4)
67. Nancy Farmer – The House of the Scorpion
68. Neal Shusterman – Unwind
69. Neil Gaiman – Coraline
70. Neil Gaiman – Stardust
71. Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book
72. P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast – House of Night (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
73. Philip Pullman – His Dark Materials (1, 2, 3)
74. Rachel Caine – The Morganville Vampires (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
75. Rachel Cohn & David Levithan – Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
76. Richelle Mead – Vampire Academy (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
77. Rick Riordan – Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
78. Rom LcO’Feer – Somewhere Carnal Over 40 Winks
79. S.L. Naeole – Grace (1, 2, 3, 4)
80. Sabrina Bryan & Julia DeVillers – Princess of Gossip
81. Sarah Dessen – Along for the Ride
82. Sarah Dessen – Lock and Key
83. Sarah Dessen – The Truth about Forever
84. Sara Shepard – Pretty Little Liars (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
85. Scott Westerfeld – Leviathan (1, 2)
86. Scott Westerfeld – Uglies (1, 2, 3)
87. Shannon Hale – Books of a Thousand Days
88. Shannon Hale – Princess Academy
89. Shannon Hale – The Books of Bayern (1, 2, 3, 4)
90. Sherman Alexie & Ellen Forney – The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
91. Simone Elkeles – Perfect Chemistry (1, 2, 3)
92. Stephenie Meyer – The Host
93. Stephenie Meyer – Twilight Saga (1, 2, 3, 4)
94. Sue Monk Kidd – The Secret Life of Bees
95. Susan Beth Pfeffer – Last Survivors (1, 2, 3)
96. Suzanne Collins – Hunger Games (1, 2, 3)
97. Suzanne Collins – Underland Chronicles (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
98. Terry Pratchett – Tiffany Aching (1, 2, 3, 4)
99. Tonya Hurley – Ghost Girl (1, 2, 3)
100. Wendelin Van Draanen – Flipped

Waiting on Wednesday: Mastiff

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Mastiff

by Tamora Pierce

Publication Date: October 25th

From Goodreads

The Legend of Beka Cooper gives Tamora Pierce's fans exactly what they want—a smart and savvy heroine making a name for herself on the mean streets of Tortall's Lower City—while offering plenty of appeal for new readers as well.

Beka and her friends will face their greatest and most important challenge ever when the young heir to the kingdom vanishes. They will be sent out of Corus on a trail that appears and disappears, following a twisting road throughout Tortall. It will be her greatest Hunt—if she can survive the very powerful people who do not want her to succeed in her goal.

I feel like I have been waiting for this book for some time.  This whole world is a rather interesting one for me.  The characters are appealing and the dangers they face are interesting.  I am excited to see where this goes.

The Wise Man's Fear: Book Review

The Wise Man's Fear

by Patrick Rothfuss

Warning: Moment below contains swearing.

Moment Divine: ". . .the others were beginning to count on me for the evening's entertainment. Hoping to put an end to the trend, I'd put a lot of thought into what story I was going to tell tonight.

"Once upon a time," I began. "There was a little boy born in a a little town. He was perfect, or so his mother thought. But on thing was different about him. He had a gold screw in his belly button. Just the head of it peeping out.

"Now his mother was simply glad he had all his fingers and toes to count with. But as the boy grew up he realized not everyone had screws in their belly buttons, let alone gold ones. He asked his mother what it was for, but she didn't know. Next he asked his father, but his father didn't know. He asked his grandparents, but they didn't know either.

"That settled it for a while, but it kept nagging at him. Finally, when he was old enough, he packed a bag and set out, hoping he could find someone who knew the truth of it.

"He went from place to place, asking everyone who claimed to know something about anything. He asked midwives and physickers, but they couldn't make heads or tails of it. The boy asked arcanists, tinkers, and old hermits living in the woods, but no one had ever seen anything like it.

"He went to ask the Cealdim merchants, thinking if anyone would know about gold, it would be them. But the Cealdim merchants didn't know. He went to the arcanists at the University, thinking if anyone would know about screws and their workings, they would. But the arcanists didn't know. The boy followed the road over the Stormwal to ask the witch women of the Tahl, but none of them could give him an answer.

"Eventually he went to the King of Vint, the richest king in the world. But the king didn't know. He went the the Emperor of Atur, but even with all his power, the emperor didn't know. He went to each of the small kingdoms, one by one, but no one could tell him anything.

"Finally the boy went to the High King of Modeg, the wisest of all the kings in the world. The high king looked closely at the head of the golden screw peeping from the boy's belly button. Then the high king made a gesture, and his seneschal brought out a pillow of golden silk. One that pillow was a golden box. The high king took a golden key from around his neck, opened the box, and inside was a golden screwdriver.

"The high king took the screwdriver and motioned the boy to come closer. Trembling with excitement, the boy did. Then the high king took the golden screwdriver and put it in the boy's belly button."

I paused to take a long drink of water. I could feel my small audience leaning toward me. "Then the high king carefully turned the golden screw. Once: Nothing. Twice: Nothing. Then he turned it the third time, and the boy's ass fell off."

There was a moment of stunned silence.

"What?" Hespe asked incredulously.

"His ass fell off," I repeated with an absolutely straight face.

There was a long silence. Everyone's eyes were fixed on me. The fire snapped, sending a red ember floating upward.

"And then what happened?" Hespe finally asked.

"Nothing," I said. "That's it. The end."

"What?" she said again, more loudly. "What kind of story is that?"

I was about to respond when Tempi burst out laughing. And he kept laughing; great shaking laughs that left him breathless. Soon I began to laugh as well, partly at Tempi's display, and partly because I'd always considered it an oddly funny story myself.

Hespe's expression turned dangerous, as if she were the butt of the joke.

Dedan was the first to speak. "I don't understand. Why did . . .?" he trailed off.

"Did they get the boy's ass back on?" Hespe interjected.

I shrugged. "That's not part of the story."

Dedan gestured wildly, his expression frustrated. "What's the point of it?"

I put on an innocent face. "I thought we were just telling stories.

The big man scowled at me. "Sensible stories! Stories with endings. Not stories that just have a boy's ass . . ." He shook his head. "This is ridiculous. I'm going to sleep." He moved off to make his bed, Hespe staled off in her own direction.

I smiled, reasonably sure neither one of them would be troubling me for any more stories than I cared to tell."

Well, this book was just a bit unsatisfying.  I was left feeling that there would need to be at least twelve books in order to try to come to grasps with the enormity of stuff that is Kvothe's life.  If we have to wait a decade for each book to come out we might as well write this off.  I will be dead before it ever finishes.  Another part that left me dissatisfied was the sheer immensity of pages that covered sex.  I just felt like we were really going off tangent to the important parts of the story.  A huge chunk of this book I skipped or skimmed.  This was a let down.  Aside, from these two things it wasn't such a bad book.  There were some very awesome discussions between Kvothe and various people that were incredible.  I loved how they would describe and explain certain things.  I felt a better understanding for certain things in life after having read these parts.  My favorite parts of this book had more to do with Kvothe's sense of humor.  The whole thing about him losing his moral inhibitions was funny.

So, read this at your own discretion.  There are lots of tangents and moments of drag.  I for one won't be jumping to read the next book, which is sad because I rather like Kvothe.

Book Blogger Hop: 9/9

Hosted by Crazy for Books

Many of us primarily read one genre of books, with others sprinkled in. If authors stopped writing that genre, what genre would you start reading? Or would you give up reading completely if you couldn’t read that genre anymore?

I don't think this has ever crossed my mind.  Is it possible for a whole genre to simply cease to exist?  I guess you could spin that into its own dystopian novel.  To answer the question, I would say that I don't read by genre so much as I read what works for me.  It just so happens that the YA genre best fits my personal preferences.  That doesn't mean that I don't already wander outside of it when some great book comes along.  I would read adult romances if I could safely find those that aren't filled with sex scenes.  Then I wouldn't have to deal with cranky spanky teenagers.  I try not to judge the books based on their genre alone.  Not every YA book will be a success for me.  I am far too picky for that.  So I imagine if by some miracle the YA genre disappeared I would just have to search all that much harder to find books I liked to read.  No easy section that will probably hold something of interest for me.

Follow Friday: 9/9

Hosted by Parajunkee's View

Have you ever wanted a villain to win at the end of a story?  If so, which one??

Oh my goodness, I would definitely have to agree with Parajunkee.  The only times I have ever wanted the bad guy to conquer was if I couldn't stand the good guy.  Please, I beg in my head kill them all so that I can move on to a better book.  Why don't I just put the book down?  Well, there are rare times when the book turns around and I am glad I have persevered.  I can't think of any times that has happened off the top of my head.  But it has to be a possibility.  Not only that but when you have this real hatred building for the good guys don't you think the happiest most satisfying end would be them being slaughtered.  With that sweet ending you can feel fully released.  No leftover anger and resentment.  There have been far too many books that have come under this sort of situation.  Just to name a couple how about Halo and Captivate.

Drink, Slay, Love: Giveaway

I'm hosting a contest as part of

Enna Isilee's Birthday Bash 2011

Presented by Squeaky Books



From August 22nd until September 22nd Enna Isilee at Squeaky Books is having a HUGE bash to celebrate her birthday! There’s a giveaway nearly EVERY DAY, tons of author interviews, and guest posts from a bunch different YA book bloggers. And I get to host a contest!



I get to give away a copy of Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst! Open to US only! Entering is simple, just fill out the form (with optional bonus entries). You have until September 21st at 11:59 MST to enter. All winners will be announced on Enna Isilee's birthday (September 22nd) on Enna Isilee's blog (Squeaky Books). And today, Ennalee interviewed Sarah at Squeaky Books. You should totally go check it out.



Want to know more about Drink, Slay, Love? Click here!

My review.

Without further ado, enter to win! Click below.







Click here to enter

Waiting on Wednesday: So Silver Bright

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

So Silver Bright

by Lisa Mantchev

Publication Date: September 13th

From Goodreads

All Beatrice Shakespeare Smith has ever wanted is a true family of her own. And she’s close to reuniting her parents when her father disappears. Now Bertie must deal with a  vengeful sea goddess and a mysterious queen as she tries to keep her family – and the Theatre Illuminata – from crumbling. To complicate it all, Bertie is torn between her two loves, Ariel and Nate.

I had no idea that the second book wasn't the end.  So that does help to explain why I was so disgruntled with how it turned out.  Having now found this third, admittedly beautifully covered, book I must read on.

City of Fallen Angels: Book Review

City of Fallen Angels

by Cassandra Clare

Moment Divine: "You look lousy," he said
Jace blinked. "Seems an odd time to start and insult contest, but if you insist, I could probably think up something good."
"No, I mean it. You don't look good."
"This from a guy who has all the sex appeal of a penguin. Look, I realize you may be jealous that the good Lord didn't deal you the same chiseled had he dealt me, but that's no reason to--"
"I am not trying to insult you," Simon snapped. "I mean you look sick. When was the last time you ate anything?"
Jace looked thoughtful. "Yesterday?"
"You ate something yesterday. You're sure?"
Jace shrugged. "Well, I wouldn't swear on a stack of Bibles. I think it was yesterday, though."

This book really does deserve a higher rating.  But since I finished it last night and then ruminated upon it as I slept before writing this review the rating has dropped.  Suffice to say I am a very unhappy camper.  I absolutely adore Jace and everything that makes him so awesome.  He can always make me laugh and I always want him to get a happy ending.  But, does anyone else feel like his is the universes punching bag?  After, the ending of the book I am all for one ending in the next.  I have finally given up any hope of him living happily ever after.  The thing is I knew I shouldn't have read this book.  The third book left such a satisfying close for me.  But after several months of consideration I thought I would give it a try.  Would someone please pour bleach in my brain over my memories of this book?  So back to the ending I think should happen now.  Keep in mind that there is no possibility of happiness now and I am begging that someone put the poor fellow out of his misery.  Surely death would be preferable to life in this case.  Yes, that is harsh of me but if by some miracle things work out I just foresee more misery and torture.  Who would want that?  The poor guy has been through so much already.  He is really messed up in the head.

Now for a moment I will allow myself to step back from my horror over the ending and say the book was awesome.  There were so many funny moments and cliff hangers.  It was just a great journey even though I felt a foreboding building early on.  Should have listened to my inner warning voice.  Anyway, I can't safely recommend this to anyone since I don't know what will happen next.  So you are on your own when it comes to this one.  Good luck.

The Overtaking: Giveaway Winner

Winner!

AmyS. - I wouldn't like it. It takes the surprise out of life if the other person knew what you are thinking or thinking about doing.

You will be contacted by the publisher or author.

Keturah and Lord Death: Book Review

Keturah and Lord Death

by Martine Leavitt

I was a bit disgruntled about the endings at first.  After a few minutes of pondering I came across the depth and beauty of what Keturah was saying.  This was a fast read and of average entertainment.  It really did read more like a legend or fairy tale told at bedtime or around a campfire.  So with that in mind I quite enjoyed my time entranced by the story.  I also really liked how the charm made distinctions between the guys.  It seemed to be able to measure the level of happiness she might enjoy with each one.  Or perhaps how much her mind would roam and wish to be elsewhere.  So I could readily see what choices would have made a content life or a happy one.  Compared to those that were so deep it surpasses mortal understanding.  I am glad that all the characters got a happy endings though I do wonder what happened in the relationship between Keturah and Lord Death after her death.  Did she accept his role in the life of every man or continue to step in between him and his charges?