Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (3)




"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by "Breaking the Spine" were bloggers can post their anticipated upcoming publications!

Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

"These violent delights have violent ends 
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, 
Which as they kiss consume."
 —Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare 


"Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.
I believe I have posted this book on another meme I take part in called (On My Wishlist) but I absolutely cannot wait for this book to come out :) It is definitely on my much anticipated list and my TBR list! Absolutely one of my favourite Shakespeare plays, and I hope this book will become one of my favourites of 2011!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays (1)

Teaser Tuesdays is a bookish meme hosted by Should Be Reading.
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 




"Sweat had gathered in the small of his back, and I found my gaze drawn down the glistening curve to the narrow flare of his hips. I looked away, aware of the sudden heat that radiated from the sand"

"Eon" by Alison Goodman; Page 224

Sunday, June 26, 2011

in my Mailbox (5)

"In my Mailbox" is a weekly meme hosted by the fantastic Kristi "the Story Siren". Bloggers are able to post what new books they've received either by buying, borrowing, or on loan from the library throughout the past week. 
I thank the lord for the library, saves me a whole lot of money :)

Shade
by Jeri Smith-Ready

"Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart"



"Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last."

"Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone."
"Well, sort of..."

The Iron King
by: Julie Kagawa

"Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined."

"Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home. When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change. "
"But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. "



Darkfever
by: Karen Marie Mooning

"In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman"

"MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman. Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens. When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask."

Saturday, June 25, 2011

On My Wishlist (5)


On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. This week my "theme" of wishlist books is Y.A. Romance/Girlie books, nothing paranormal about them :)


The Summer I Turned Pretty
by: Jenny Han

"Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along"

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
by: Michelle Hodrin

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.
It can.
She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.
There is.
She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.
She's wrong.

Austenland
by: Shannon Hale

"Jane Hayes is a seemingly normal young New Yorker, but she has a secret. Her obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is ruining her love life: no real man can compare. But when a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become realer than she ever could have imagined."

Friday, June 24, 2011

Friday Finds (1)

So I have just discovered another great meme that happens every week called "Friday Finds" hosted MizB at Should be Reading, featuring books we've discovered in the past week. I think this is a great idea seeing as my TBR shelf and my "Wishlist" shelf grows every single day. So this pass week I found some great books:




The Harlot by Saskia Walker

"It is a Dark Era, one when a lusty lass will do what she must to survive. Even if it means bartering flesh for a palmful of coins…"











Insatiable by Meg Cabot

"Sick of hearing about vampires? So is Meena Harper.
But her bosses are making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn't believe in them.
Not that Meena isn't familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you're going to die. (Not that you're going to believe her. No one ever does.)"






Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

"The Picture of Dorian Gray meets Pride and Prejudice, with a dash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
New York City, 1882. Seventeen-year-old Natalie Stewart's latest obsession is a painting of the handsome British Lord Denbury. Something in his striking blue eyes calls to her. As his incredibly life-like gaze seems to follow her, Natalie gets the uneasy feeling that details of the painting keep changing..."

Thursday, June 23, 2011

The Long Awaited - City of Glass Review

"Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Timesbestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments"

If I could give this book 6 out of 5 stars I would. I was absolutely fantastic !! I loved every single minute of it, I could literally not put it down in the last day and a half. In the third book of the “Immortal Series” we find Clary, Jace, Simon, Alex and Isabel all going into Idris their homeland to decide what will finally be done with Valentine. Although Alex and Isabel are excited to be going home, Jace is not. He has decided one way or another Clary will not be coming along with them; he has even enrolled Simon’s help to stop her from taking the portal there. But we all know Clary is a determined fiery red head and when she puts her mind to it, anything is possible … Even a little B&E into the very secured Idris; where showing up uninvited is not only against the law, but punishable by death. But Clary is bound to finally get her mother back to full health and out of the coma she has been inhabiting for long enough in Clary’s eyes.

The third instalment in the Immortal Series is a sexy, adventurous and addicitng read where nothing is ever as it seems, and Clary and Jace FINALLY get their emotions, life, and family into check. I especially found this one addicting due to the ever ending question if Jace is truly Clary’s brother or if Valentine made that up to use Jace, and finally after much anticipation we finally get this answered revealed AND a little extra about just how “special” Jace is. Now I will not give too much away but let’s just say there is one steamy make out scene between Jace and Clary about ⅓ of the way into the novel ;P Alex and Magnus find some common ground to work with and while experimenting with Clary’s new found shadowhunter ability Alex finds himself in some hot (and also quite awkward) water with his parents and the Clave. Isabel is as ever satiable as usual, and finds herself torn between being Clary’s friend and protecting Jace from the inevitable heartache Clary will only cause him. All in all the main characters of this series really come into their own and “grow” up a bit for teenagers. I especially like the grow with Simon though. Simon deserves a paragraph of his own. He really matures in this book, he no longer is the grouchy, jealous best friend of Clary who also was turned into a vampire, who ALSO can walk in the sunlight. Instead he has taken on the brooding, sexy vampire vibe and really works it well. Although through a good ⅔’s of the book we find that Simon has been tricked and captured by the Clave in Idris and locked up to be questioned on events surrounding Valentine and Jace and the Lightwoods.  But when Simon is released (of course by Clary and Jace) he really accepts his new life as a vampire, and helps in the epic battle that occurs between Downworlders, Shawdowhunters, and Valentines minions (which you would think the downworlders and minions are the same BUT there’s a spectacular twist!). I cannot reveal too much more than that about Simon but lets just say everyone is wanting Simon not just because he is a vampire that can walk in the sunlight but he has attracted some attention from a Shadowhunter AND a werewolf. Perhaps there is a relationship in Simons future that does not include pining over Clary ;)

The only problem I had about this specific novel is that I felt like the beginning was a little slow to pick up AND they also did an entire recap of things that had already happened as well. I find that quite irritating when I need to reread something about the second or first book in a series when I had just read the book before this one, although I understand why authors do that for people who read other books in between the publishing of series. But honestly this was on the best books in a series I’ve read in a long time. I feel Clare left enough to work with for 4,5 and 6 in the immortal series, and did not elaborate on too many characters so much so they are able to grow more throughout the last 3. 

As I said at the beginning of this review, I believe this is definitely a series all Y.A. enthusiast must read if not just for the intense story line, but due to the character growth and actual real life problems teen actually go through. Absolutely superb!


Booking through Thursday (1)

So here is something a little different than the usual book-ish meme's. "Booking through Thursday" is a weekly meme hosting questions usually about books but other things as well.Click, HERE and be sure to check it out and join in the fun!


So this week's question: 
What, if any, kind of music do you listen to when you’re reading? (Given a choice, of course!)

Normally, you'll find me sitting in silence when I read but seeing as I do live with a very musically orientated boyfriend the background music to my life in general is usually movie soundtracks such as Lord of the Rings, Gladiator, basically anything instrumental. But also heavy rock and metal and jazz. What I prefer though is the instrumental and Jazz (which I know are basically the same thing but I do hear a difference). I can't really read if other people are talking, or singing for that matter although I do like sitting outside when reading so I don't mind random gargle of the street or nextdoor neighbours.  

Sunday, June 19, 2011

On My Wishlist (4)


On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where you list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too. If you want to know more click here.

This week I've decided that my "theme" for On My Wishlist books will be the first book in a couple series I'd like to get into in the near future :) I am a big collector of series books especially because I find that their is more room for descriptions, for twists and turns in the plot, and for loads of character development. 

Evermore
by: Alyson Noel

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch.   Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste ... Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition.  He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets.  Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head.  She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is.  Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.


The Iron King
by: Julia Kagawa

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined. Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home. When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change. But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

Darkfever
by: Karen Marie Mooning

MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman.

Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae… As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands…

in my Mailbox (4)

"In my Mailbox" is a weekly meme hosted by the fantastic Kristi "the Story Siren". Bloggers are able to post what new books they've received either by buying, borrowing, or on loan from the library throughout the past week. 

This week I only picked up one book from the library. I am trying to sift through all the books I have piling up on my desk to be read, and lately I keep adding more and more and only reading a few, so I thought this week I'd put a hold on pick up some more and start to read through the mountain. Although the one book I did happen to pick up is the sequel to "Fallen" by Lauren Kate which is an absolute dark and intense read for those who need a switch up from the usual light and mild Y.A. novels.

Hell on earth. That's what it's like for Luce to be apart from her fallen angel boyfriend, Daniel. It took them an eternity to find one another, but now he has told her he must go away. Just long enough to hunt down the Outcasts - immortals who want to kill Luce. Daniel hides Luce at Shoreline, a school on the rocky California coast with unusually gifted students -Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans. At Shoreline, Luce learns what the Shadows are, and how she can use them as windows to her previous lives. Yet the more Luce learns, the more she suspects that Daniel hasn't told her everything. He's hiding something - something dangerous. What if Daniel's version of the past isn't actually true? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else? The second novel in the addictive FALLEN series . . . where love never dies.

So, what is in everyone else Mailbox this week??

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (2)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by "Breaking the Spine"


"Silence"
by Becca Fitzpatrick
Publication Date: October 4, 2011

"The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever."

One of the most anticipated romance conclusions of this year, Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick is going to be a much wanted book come October 2011. Not only is the cover art one of my favourite in a series, the story makes your emotions do somersaults all over the place, AND the main characters Nora, and Patch are two you cannot help but get attached too. Their love story is one for the ages. 

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Ch-ch-ch-changes !! :)

Hey all my followers !! Just wanted to let you know that I have OBVIOUSLY changed a little around the blog. I would like to know what you all think actually :)
So let me know !!

PS: The video countdowns are at the bottom but not too worry they won't be going anywhere.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

in my Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme posted by the fabulous Kristi "The Story Siren" for books you've received throughout the week. Last week I totally forgot to post the books I had received the week before so this week it is going to be a mixture of books from last week and this week. Although I am already done 2 of the books I received last week, they were just too good to put down.


"To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters -- never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight. As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her new found powers to help save the Glass City -- whatever the cost? Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Timesbestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments."

I must admit that this is one of the books I had received last week, and after stowing myself away in my apartment and doing nothing but reading the entire series this is now one of my absolute favorite series I have read so far this year. The third book (but not the last in the entire Mortal Instrument Series) was, intense, witty, and a love story for the ages; it delievered everything I had hoped for and more, and I am anxiously awaiting "City of Fallen Angels" to be returned to my local library!


"There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori. Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move. Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her."

This particular novel I had picked up from the Library this week, and was not expecting it to be so dark.That is the only way to describe it, dark and emotionally extreme for the characters. This one is similar to City of Bones, and Hush Hush, it has similar terms used such as Nimphilim, and the Fallen. It isn't something I am sort of use too, but I am enjoying it thoroughly. It is always good to get outside of your comfort zone once in a while, :)


"Three angels- Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, the youngest and most human- are sent by Heaven to bring good to a world falling under the influence of darkness. They must work hard to conceal their luminous glow, superhuman powers, and, most dangerous of all, their wings, all the while avoiding all human attachments. Then Bethany meets Xavier Woods, and neither of them is able to resist the attraction between them. Gabriel and Ivy do everything in their power to intervene, but the bond between Xavier and Bethany seems too strong. The angel’s mission is urgent, and dark forces are threatening. Will love ruin Bethany or save her?"

This book also grabbed earlier this week from the library (the library and I have been acquainted with one another), is a much more romantic tale of Angels and the humans of earth. I have heard good things about this book and bad things as well, so I am going to unbaised when I read it and decide for myself. I think this is one of the only books that looks to be a more "easy" read then most of the other books. Lately the books I've read have been an emotional roller coster (I.E. "Crescendo" I am reading right now) but every now and then you need an easy book to get through all the other ones.

"Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but atleast she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar. Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadnt been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something. Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperatly searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts."

I am currently in the middle of this book right now and it has been nothing like I was expecting upon reading the first in the series, Hush Hush. I broke down and HAD to purchase this one from chapters instead of waiting for it from the Library; although I did use my 15% off Coupon for this weekend only, so I kind of saved money. It is heartbreakingly emotional for Nora and Patch's relationship and I had been so invested in both characters that I don't know who I feel worse for. Patch is currently being a "douchbag" to the extreme, but only to protect Nora, and Nora is being a "bitch from hell" but only to protect Patch and both don't know that either one is trying to protect them; it is thoroughly frustrating! But still, I am only half way through so we shall see what the next half has to bring us!

Saturday, June 11, 2011

On My Wishlist (3)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where you list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too. If you want to know more click here.

Falling Under by: Gwen Hayes
"Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams. As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear. And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul"

This book had sparked my interest about 3 months ago. I have it on hold at the library but as of right now it is a MUST have on my book shelves. The art work for the cover is incredible and its one of my favourites.



Betrayal by: Mayandree Michel
"At seventeen, Cordelia is an ordinary teen with an extraordinary and frightening secret. A secret that induces vivid dreams which she not only experiences true love, but crippling fear while barely escaping with her life each night. After a life altering event, Cordelia has an unexpected encounter with Evan, the mysterious boy from her dreams, who reveals who and what she is, a descendant of the Greek gods. At that moment everything she knows of her world is a lie, and she must leave the present and go into the past to assume the role she was put on this earth for, safeguarding her ancient empire amidst evil forces that toil hastily to destroy it. In a race against time, Cordelia must decide if she is truly a part of this dangerous world, or risk defying the gods, and ultimately lose the boy who has put a claim on her heart."

This one has definitely sparked my interest of ownership and to read due to the fact that it is all about the Greek Gods! And of course the art cover it is absolutely fantastic!!

So, what is on your wishlist this week everyone?? :)



Thursday, June 9, 2011

City of Ashes

"A GORGEOUS fantasy that's so good ... Its DANGEROUS !!"


As per City of Bones this book was well worth the read. City of Ashes is the second book in this thrilling trilogy about Clary, Jace, Alec and Isabelle. We find ourselves shortly after the last book ended, Clary and Jace haven't spoken in about a week or so and non-stop Simon (Clary's best friend) has been keeping her company, friendly and romantic. 

I found that throughout the first book Simon and Clary's friendship was always a little more than friendly especially for Simon. You could tell just from his moods, his actions and his clear jealousy about Jace and Clary as well. I did not at first like Simon just because I was so head over heels about Jace and his whole persona, but Simon has definitely started to grow on me throughout this book for a couple reasons (that I cannot name because they would be HUGE spoilers for people who haven't read the second book yet). One of my favorite things about Cassandra Clare is her consistency with her characters, their persona's and how each one of them has their own inner "demons" per say to deal with, its not all the same problems with all the characters but it still connects each one of them with the main storyline. I also love how they are all teenagers and all their problems are mainly teenage problems about growing up, changing, love ... They are just amplified to suit the paranormal attributes of the book. 

The main part of this book was the introduction of the Inquisitor, the second Mortal Instrument (the Sword) and of course Jace and his father Valentine. Valentine I found to be a very odd mixture of a psychopath with a plan basically. He is a very masculine and strong figure within the book and Clare definitely has a way of making the reader like him even though he is the antagonist. Although I DO NOT like the fact that Jace is now Clary's brother because I was SO invested in their relationship as more than just friends too so I am hoping something in the third book reveals them not to be brother and sister or some weird twist of fate or something; that is what I am hoping for at least.

But Valentine was not what I was expecting as the evil antagonist; I was expecting some big bad demon or something a long those lines but a Shadowhunter, that was suppose to be dead along with his son and parents in law, now that just screams awesome battle scenes in the next novel. Over all this book was a great book for "filler". It definitely had some new story progressing parts, but the reader finds out more about who everyone is, Valentine, Lucian, the Lightwoods and even Clary and Jace all their stories past and future progress. I think Simon is the one who's characters changes the most out of all of them because of some of the "changes" he goes through. I feel there could have been a little more progression with Valentine and Clary's relationship but I sense that Clare is waiting for the perfect "epic" moment for that to happen, something that will really throw the reader off (which is perfectly fine with me may I add, I enjoy a little excitement in my readings, lol).

I must admit it took me a little while to right this review because I was unsure how I felt about it. I loved the characters, the storyline and everything but I felt there was something missing for some odd reason and right now I cannot figure it out. BUT I will say that this is definitely going on my must read list for 2011 if not for the story line then definitely for the Characters. I don't think I have ever loved characters, their descriptions, persona's and growth like I love Cassandra Clare's.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (1)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by "Breaking the Spine"


"Clockwork Prince"
by: Cassandra Clare
Release date: December 6, 2011

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, #2)In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends. With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.

This is definitely one of my anticipated book releases of this year !!

City of Bones

"The Mortal Instruments series is a story world I love to live in. Beautiful"
Stephanie Meyer, 
AUTHOR of the TWILIGHT

There was something very intense about this book when I had first seen it sitting at Chapters. The cover art had drawn me in and the description of the story was short but very descriptive and intriguing. I had first read the prelude to this series called "Clockwork Angel" also by Cassandra Clare, and had a pretty good understanding of the basics of Shadowhunters and the institute and the clave. Although when I first dove into this book it was nothing like I thought it would be. The intricate details of Jace, Alex, and Isabelle in the club; of how Clary felt when she first saw them and Simon could not. Unfortunately I judged this book before I had read it and was shocked to read it so quickly, I could not put it down !! Cassandra Clare has created a beautiful world in Victorian England (Clockwork Angel) and in modern day New York City. The idea of Shadowhunters excites my imagination and makes me run free with it; City of Bones was not what I was expecting and it was absolutely lovely. 

Clary the sort of Heroin within the novel first encounters the Shadowhunters in a club at the beginning of the book. She knows she is different from her "mundane" friend Simon; and the reader right away can tell Simon has a huge crush on Clary. She is described as an ordinary girl, not very attractive with firey red hair and a very ordinary body as well. Although at first I thought she was a helpless individual it turns out that she is much more than that as the book progresses. Also, I was not very keen on Clary as a heroin, but she definitely started to grow on me, and after I had invested an almost entire sleepless night reading through City of Bones she was definitely the absolute perfect character for the story. 

Now onto one of the many hooks for City of Bones, the mysterious Jace. Blonde hair, blue eyed, slender build, dream boat basically is what we're imagining here girls. If you want basically a handsome, sexy yet arrogant boy Jace is definitely for you !! I won't reveal anything about Jace that is too spoiler-ish if you're debating on reading the book or not, but as a Shadowhunter he is the closest thing to an angel I've read so far in this series of books. The first introduction of him is in the club with his adopted brother and sister Isabelle and Alec Lightwood (both entirely dangerous and of course irresistibly attractive as well). He meets Clary in a very peculiar way, see she isn't suppose to be able to see them but she can, he is very sarcastic and arrogant to her but you can definitely tell he is slightly impressed on how she can see him, and also he is definitely attracted ... There was a definite spark ;P 

As a first book in a series about so far 4 (I believe) it is an excellent beginning. It has everything a first book needs to hook the reader; you have fabulous characters, great descriptions of each one of them so you can really invest in characters, you have action, mystery and one hell of a cliffhanger for an ending and of course what every good Y.A. novel needs a love connection like no other! (SERIOUSLY! Like no other! Very intense, I am loving it!) The story was quick paced, and Clare did not have to reveal a whole lot to the reader right away, she left just enough out of the story to make sure the readers came back for seconds AND thirds. 

What really impressed me about this book was the depth of each characters, how they all connected, their past and present lives, and how they pull the story together, on a more personal note for the reader. I also liked the portrayal of Werewolves and Vampires, and how they are illustrated very differently from the savages most myths set them out to be, and how most of the characters (besides Luke) are young adults, so it definitely gives for some major drama, but entertaining nevertheless. 

I give this book a fabulous 5 stars, cause it is exactly what it deserves. A must read for fantasy, Y.A. enthusiasts !!