Devilish, by Maureen Johnson

Devilish
by Maureen Johnson
263 pages (hardcover)
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy/YA

The flist was right--more YA novels should be like this. (Though I don't think anyone actually said this, I think it's the general sentiment.) This wasn't an amazing book--it doesn't cater enough to my tastes for that--but for what it is, I loved it. I loved the engaging voice, all the characters, the twist ending. And the cover--flirty and ominous at the same time, which is fitting. My only caveat is that I didn't understand the toe symbolism, but that's such a trival thing that it doesn't matter.

Now that I'm done raving, a more coherent summary: Jane Jarvis, a highly intelligent senior at St. Teresa's Preparatory School for Girls, makes a deal with the devil to save the soul of her best friend Allison. A strange freshman boy from St. Sebastian's, Owen, appears to help--but so does the mysterious Mr. Fields and a host of other interesting characters from both sides. Much is left unexplained, but the story is definitely complete. And I'm pretty sure that every single bit character appears at least twice--do correct me if I'm wrong on that. I especially liked the nuns of St. Teresa's; no collective, vague mobs here!

Highly recommended to anyone willing to try YA.

Fruits Basket vol 17, ch. 96-101, by Natsuki Takaya

Fruits Basket vol. 17
by Natsuki Takaya
~200 pages, ch. 96-101 (graphic novel)
Genre: Fiction/Manga

Furuba is always lovely for me, but some volumes resonate more than others. Volume 16, for instance, with the Cinderella play, gave me hysterics. This one was touching in a completely different way--the Akito/Kureno/Shigure relationship is absolutely gorgeous. The paneling, too. And of course, this volume contains the reveal of Akito's big secret.

I do wonder about gender roles in Fruits Basket. The zodiac is predominantly male, but the Sohma females in general have very little power. Even Ren.

More later, perhaps. I need to think about it some more.