Sarah Rees Brennan's The Demon's Lexicon: Lemons of Sorcery

Because I have a very cosy relationship with the people at the local independent bookstore, I got a call as soon as the shipment with Sarah Rees Brennan's The Demon's Lexicon came in and I got to pick it up a few days early.  Rees Brennan, known online as sarahtales (formerly mistful or maya), had already shown herself to be a master writer through her howlingly funny blog and her fanfiction, so I rushed right over.

Nick and his older brother Alan have been running ever since their father died.  Their mother, a former magician, stole a charm from her former lover, another powerful magician, and he and his followers have been chasing them ever since to steal it back and take their revenge.  When a girl Alan fancies comes to the brothers with her own brother, asking for their help in taking a demon's mark off her brother, the magicians close in, and Alan's lies lead them all into terrible peril.

( My life was going to flash before my eyes, but it decided to hide behind my eyes and quake in terror instead. )

Oh God, I'm tearing myself up waiting for the sequel, and as soon as that's out and read, I'll be going crazy for the last!  Today's the release date, buy it so I can squee in company!