**SPOILERS abound and as always you can find us on iTunes, just search girlsinthestacks.com**

Durango is the chief of a band of rouge Regulators. Together with his motley crew davos they fight to protect a group of Martian miners from the evil, flesh eating Draeu led by an equally evil Queen.

This novel was entreatingly good (and fun) for so many reasons. For one thing, it is a sci-fi dystopian (I <3 dystopia) book. I liked the inventive world created by Gill. His world is interesting (heck, I mean it takes place on Mars after all), but he doesn’t let the world-building take over the story. Obviously, it is a major part of the story but he doesn’t drone on and on about specifics. I have always found these Mad Max type stories appealing because something as simple as water is a precious commodity, but getting an AI implant or rocketing into space is normal. Maybe it is the desperation I like, you know the struggle for survival with high tech equipment all around that can’t quench your thirst or your hunger.

My favorite character is Durango. Although young, he is an extremely intelligent leader with quick wit and a good sense of morals. I love the relationship he has with his AI, Mimi. Although she is only an AI she seems to be more (more human), and she truly cares and looks out for Durango.

Durango’s davos. They are truly endearing, in the way only a bunch of odd characters can be. His second in command is Vienne. She is fierce, an excellent marksman and warrior and totally loyal and devoted to Durango. She would lay down her life for him, not only because she is honored bound by the tenants but also because I think she loves him.  Fuse and Jenkins round out his crew and provide the much needed and funny comic relief.

I also enjoyed all the nods to some of my favorite bands and songs of the 90s and a much-quoted Monty Python movie. While I will keep mum on specifies I will say that each nod truly has meaning to the overall story. LOL – try to figure that out!

(FYI: listen to our podcast discussion here, for more info on Gills check out his blog.)

I give this book 4 STACKS!

See you in the STACKS,
Stacy – who is off to keep it copasetic… 

For more information on Black Hole Sun and David Macinnis Gill visit his blog, DavisMacinnisGill/I am Chickin Hear Me Roar!

**SPOLIERS abound and as always you can find us on iTunes**

The first line is, “There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife.”  The man holding the knife, Jack, just murdered a family.  The last one alive, the baby, toddled away during the gruesome crime and is hidden by ghosts in the graveyard down the street.  The ghosts name him Nobody (Bod for short) and raise him in the graveyard.  He is not allowed to leave for fear of the murderer, who is still looking for him. Bod’s other caretaker is a man named Silas, who only comes out at sundown and is gone by sunup (hmmm?), and who brings him food.  As Bod grows, he learns about the unseen world and beings, meets a girl named Scarlett, and longs to join the real world and find the murderer of his family.  But while he pursues these things, Jack is still looking for him, to finish what he began many years ago…

I loved this book on so many levels.  First – okay, seriously, the first chapter is the scariest first chapter EVER.  I read that first page and thought, This is a kid’s book?  I don’t recommend it for your first grader, but certainly for preteens.  It is deliciously chilling without being gory.  For example, Gaiman does not use the word blood, but tells you the knife is wet.  Yah, this ain’t your mama’s Nancy Drew!

Second – it is a fun, fast-paced action-adventure story with a terrifying villain and a gentle, serious young hero.  The elements of the fantastic are so fresh because Gaiman describes his characters the way Bod sees them; as normal, everyday people who happen to be ghosts, ghouls, werewolves and vampires.  Bod has many adventures with scary beings in the graveyard, and there is never a dull moment.

Third, it is a story about a boy learning to be human among non-humans (and Gaiman has said he owes a great debt to Kipling’s The Jungle Book).  His friendship with Scarlett is the saddest part for me – that she would rather forget him than remember the scary monsters he just saved her from.  His brief stint at school was the other depressing part – kids can be so mean!  Bod never gives up though.  When he grows too old to stay in the graveyard, he meets the world with optimism and courage.  I love that!

Truly, this book is just as good for adults as it is for kids. 

I give it 5 STACKS!

See you in the STACKS,
Nancy -  who is going to check out Gaiman’s other YA book Coraline soon!

Linger is the continuation of the relationship between Grace and Sam. Their story could not be told without Isabel, Cole or Grace’s parents…

I admit when I closed the cover on this book, I bounced on my bed and shrieked (bringing my dog and children running in to see what the heck was going on).  I just love the atmosphere, the mood she creates, the words she uses.  Her characters just seem to inhabit your mind and bring you right into their world.  Each character’s voice is so different, and yet each one is damaged and fighting an internal battle.  There’s so much going on emotionally as well as physically, and it’s not at all schmaltzy – just raw and genuine.  New character Cole is so fully integrated into the story I almost forgot we didn’t know him in the first book.  Maggie – your books are pure artistry! 

I give Linger 5 STACKS!
Nancy

We all know that I think that Maggie is an artistic genius! Well, Linger proves once again why I believe it.  Why do  I love Linger?  It’s swoonfully romantic, the writing is poetic, and it makes my heart feel the yearning for Grace and Sam to finally be together the same way I love Edward and Bella in love.  Something else I adore?  I love that Grace is older than 15, that Isabel and Cole are broken and find comfort in each other, and that Grace is smart with a good head on her shoulders.  Linger is a breath of fresh air that I keep thinking about even after I finished reading it. 

 I give Linger 5 STACKS!
Shannan

Wow, just when I thought it couldn’t get any better! This was an intense, dark romance read full of passion and real characters. The four person POV was stellar. Getting into the heads of Sam, Grace, Isabel and Cole was an emotional rollercoaster ride of depression, love, angst, and brutal honesty. The plot was simple and believable and literally had me biting my nails at the end. (Yikes, do we really have to wait a year for Forever?) Breakout stars are Isabel and Cole. Who doesn’t like broken people with passion? They are my new favs.

I give Linger 5 STACKS.
Stacy

(oh, look we all gave it 5 STACKS)