Stargazer
I finished reading Claudia Gray's Stargazer yesterday morning. I would've finished earlier had I not read The City of Glass first, but since they came out on the same day, someone had to go first. I would like to say first that if you have not read Evernight, the first book in this series, please do so! The series is really amazing, and I really could see it gaining a huge fandom if we can all get the word out about how amazing it is. The series follows young Bianca, whose parents have moved her to Evernight Academy where they are now teaching. Evernight Academy is a prestigious, gothic style school that just so happens to be run by and attended by vampires.
In Stargazer, we pick up where Evernight left off. Bianca has returned to Evernight after her love, Lucas Ross, has had his cover blown and had to return to the Black Cross. Stargazer introduces us to wraiths, or ghosts, and the truth about Bianca's past. Lucas and Bianca's relationship is also tested through the story.
Now that I've got that short run down out of the way, I would encourage anyone who is not done with the book to stop reading here, as the rest of this post will contain spoilers.
I'd like to start with Bianca and Balthazar. I'm not going to lie here folks, there was a huge part of me that was really cheering for Balthazar. Leave it to me to fall for the tortured vampire. I just can't help but see how much easier it would make Bianca's life if she chose him instead of Lucas. Perhaps because i am a mere mortal, the idea of living forever and always being young and beautiful is not so bad to me. That said, on the other hand, if I were Bianca I wouldn't want to be the substitute for Jane either. Poor Balthazar. I really do hope he gets a happy ending by the end of the series.
His sister, now that's another story. Who saw all of that coming? Okay, I'm sure alot of you did, but I sure didn't. Leading the Black Cross to believe that the vampires were going to attack the humans? And at midnight? Doesn't a time deadline of midnight seem a little cliche? But of course, hot headed Eduardo fell for it hook, line, and sinker. My heart was wrenched out of my chest seeing how Bianca's emotions were torn while watching Dana fight her mom.
As for this wraith thing...How did Bianca's parents not see this coming? Surely they didn't think that they could really trust a species who obviously loathes them? Nothing is free, even life in this case. I can't help but wonder if Bianca has to die a horrible death to become a wraith, although I guess that is what we are lead to believe. It just seems so precariuos to me to be constantly on the look out of being horribly murdered your entire life. I guess that's why I'm leaning towards wishing Bianca would just finish her transformation into a vampire.
Which leads me to Black Cross. That ending had me in near hysterics! Bianca?! A part of black cross? Is this some sort of cruel joke? The whole time I was reading those last few paragraphs I was screaming in my head at Raquel to shut up!I have to believe that black cross will find her out eventually, and then what happens? I guess that is what Hourglass is for (the third book). I wish I could give you guys some info on that book, but apparently there's none to be found so far, other than it's done. If anyone else knows anything, please post!
In general, I read the book in three days and absolutley loved it. I don't think Lucas and Bianca got nearly enough time together, as I'm sure can be seen in the little amount that I've mentioned him in this blog. I really do love Lucas, but I sometimes want to shake him until he agrees to go vamp. Oh well, I can always see his point of view but I don't have to like it (insert stubborn face here). I hope we get more Lucas/Bianca time in the next book. It broke my heart to see through Bianca's eyes that whole encounter in the observatorium (is that even a word?). She really thought they could live happily ever after, and I wanted that so badly for her.
Okay, I think I've rambled enough. I know I didn't focus on alot of important stuff, so I hope some of you will bring it up in comments so we can really get a discussion going here. Let's hope people read this!