Confessions of a Bibliophile

Random disclaimer: This is the first Meg Cabot book I ever read (granted, underneath the Jenny Carroll name, I didn’t make the connection until later), so this series does hold a special place in my literary heart. Shadowlands makes for a good entry point and set-up for the next five books—you get enough backstory about what a mediator does and how it’s affected Suze throughout her life. (Although I’m surprised that she never ran into another mediator until she moves to Carmel, but plot-convenient and what occurs later, does make sense.) Suze is an immensely likeable character, snarky without going mean girl and willing to stand up for people no matter what happens. Also, the set-up with her relationship with Jesse does delve into the forbidden love angst, I like how she defines the rules if they’re going to be stuck living together. In short, a paranormal series that’s a massive alternative from the bigger, mainstream series.