Oooh, I'm so glad you like the books, AND serendipidously managed to get them at the same time that you actually have a chance to read! I read them in the opposite order, but never really figured out which one is SUPPOSED to come first. Little Altars is chronologically first, but I think it was published second (as like a prequel)? Either way I think you'll be fine :) I really really like them, and they are not any sort of genre I'd normally be on about...I don't mind at all if you keep them, btw, I never thought of the idea of you returning them. I've probably already read them three times each :P

I think Zoe going with Brad sounds awesome. It makes no sense to me for anyone to get upset about that - I'm glad he stuck to his guns. And I'm super glad you actually got (who'd have thought?!) social time :D