REVIEW: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare (Minor Spoilers)

Title: Clockwork Prince
Author:Cassandra Clare
Series: The Infernal Devices
Pages: 502
Publication Date: December 6, 2011
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Steampunk

Goodreads Summary: 
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. 

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do? 

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.



My Thoughs:

I am so annoyed and disappointed with certain parts of this book. I absolutely love the main storyline but the love triangle is so ridiculous and makes me really dislike Tessa. This is her only flaw in the book and it is such a huge flaw that it just ruins her character for me. Highlight for spoiler  

Choosing someone because you pity for them is never excusable, it is just plain wrong. She obviously doesn't want to be with Jem and only said yes because he is dying. Both Will and Tessa are miserable by the end of the book, but poor Jem is blissfully oblivious and it is really unnecessary. I wanted Tessa to choose Will, at first just because I liked them more, but now I want her to choose Will because she doesn't deserve to be with Jem.

And don’t even get me started on Will’s change in character. The Will Herondale I fell in love with in the first book is completely changed by the end of the second book and I hate it. HATE IT. I love broken, tortured, cynical, Will. I loved that he didn’t care what anyone thought of him, and I loved his snarky remarks and sarcasm about everything. I loved his darkness. He had the face of a bad angel and eyes like the night sky in Hell. “WILL SPREAD HIS ARMS WIDE. ON HIS KNEES, GRINNING LIKE A DEMON, BLOOD DRIPPING FROM HIS MOUTH, HE BARELY LOOKED HUMAN HIMSELF. ‘COME AND GET ME.’” I wanted that Will to make an appearance so badly in this book and it never happened. Highlight for spoiler Apparently it was all an act in the first book. Instead, we get the same character that is in almost every other book. Puppy dog Will. Mopey Will. All turned into fucking giddy, enthusiastic, sweet Will? Apparently that is the real Will. NO. DO NOT WANT “Will, if you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? ‘Straight to hell.” He was so unique and special and now it’s all ruined.

Don’t get me wrong, Cassandra Clare’s writing is really good, (aside from the last 1/4th of the book seeming like it came straight off of fanfiction.net which I find strange because her writing is usually much better than that.) and I did truly enjoy the book just because I like the story line and the characters. I love the detailed descriptions Clare uses in her writing. She captures character's emotions in a way not other writer can, for me at least.

I had trouble deciding how many stars to give this book, 3 or 4, but ultimately chose 4 stars because, although I despise the love triangle and my all time favorite book character was completely ruined, I still couldn't put the book down and I'm now anxious for Clockwork Princess to come out. 

4/5 

REVIEW: My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent (Minor Spoilers)

Title: My Soul To Save
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers
Pages: 279
Publication Date: December 29, 2009
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

 
Goodreads Summary:  When Kaylee Cavanaugh screams, someone dies.

So when teen pop star Eden croaks onstage and Kaylee doesn't wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can't cry for someone who has no soul.

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad's ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend's loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls: a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld—a consequence they can't possibly understand.

Kaylee can't let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk….


My Thoughts:
I had a hard time getting through this book. We're supposed to like the relationship between Kaylee and Nash, but other than the fact that they are both bean sidhes and are attracted to one another, there is nothing else there. Where are the common interests? What are their thoughts about one another (aside from Nash being ~OMGSOHOT) and their opinions? They never have discussions about things other than bean sidhes, hellions, demons, reapers, etc. and this is a huge problem for me. It's like they've meshed into one character and it's such a disappointment.

Also bothering me is that we hardly see any interaction with Kaylee and Emma, unless Emma is doing Kaylee a favor (such as covering for her, or borrowing her car.) You would think that Emma's near death last book would have opened Kaylee's eyes and she'd want to spend time with her best friend, seeing as she almost lost her. forever. But, no. She just wants to spend time with Nash. Nash, Nash, Nash. Someone who has absolutely no depth, and she doesn't even have decent conversations with. And then it seems like the author is casually working up to some Nash-Kaylee-Tod triangle. Just what we need, 2 brothers in love with a girl that is extremely naive, hypocritical, gets in over her head and puts other people in danger.

The continuity is that great either. I specifically remember at one point in the book Kaylee is thinking about how she has surpassed her curfew and is going to be late, then later in the book when she gets grounded she is thinking to herself how she "forgot about her curfew because too many things were happening" when she was actually very much aware of the fact that she was purposely ignoring her curfew earlier. Little things like this are just a minor annoyance, but still annoying, nonetheless.

I feel like the author doesn't realize how long it actually takes to get from Arlington to Dallas. I feel like she portrays it as just a drive up the road when in actuality it takes about 20-30 minutes to get from Arlington to Dallas, and that's without traffic. So sometimes I don't understand how they can get to and from places so fast. I still find it neat that the book is set in my home of north Texas though, as this doesn't happen very often.

I will give the series a second chance and hope the third installment isn't as boring and repetitive (Awkward scenes of Nash and Kaylee dry humping all. the. time., Painful descriptions of Nash's good looks and her insecurities about the popular jock wanting her for one thing she isn't even giving up. Surely he wouldn't risk his life several times just for a lay so she needs to get over it or break up with him if she can't.) I saw that the next book has a better rating overall than this one so i'm hopeful. I just have a hard time reading a series where I don't particularly care for the two main characters. Tod is a different story, though. 

2/5

Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Title:The Night Circus
Author:Erin Morgenstern
Series:
Pages: 387
Publication Date: September 13th 2011
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy


Goodreads Summary:
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead

My Thoughts:

I wish that I could give this book more stars, but truth is, I can't. Yes, the story is enchanting and magical, but what else can you expect from a story about a circus? I did enjoy this book, but I had to force myself to get through the first half because it's terribly slow and descriptive. If you like descriptive books without much dialogue, this book is for you. If you like a lot of action in a book, this book is NOT for you. I was expecting an actual battle but was disappointed when none ever came about. The "battle" includes the two rivals creating new and exciting tents in the circus. I felt a little cheated.

I never felt emotionally connected with the characters. I never felt that they loved each other. I was told that they love each other and chose to believe it. That is a big difference that I don't really care for. While, I might not have felt connected to the characters but they were very likable, and there wasn't one person that I hated.

What I did love about the book was the circus itself. It captivated me from the very beginning and I just wanted to know more about it. It was mystical and mesmerizing. Each new room that was added was so alluring that I wanted to be there, at Le Cirque des Rêves, to go through each tent myself.

I received this book as an ARC through Goodreads and I'm very pleased that I did. I wish I could have given more stars but the story started off too slow, didn't have any action, and I felt no connection to the characters. Overall, I was pleased with this book and would recommend it to others. I would also love to see Summit go through with plans for a movie.

3/5

Review: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Title:City of Fallen Angels
Author:Cassandra Clare
Series: The Mortal Instruments #4
Pages: 424
Publication Date: April 5, 201
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy


Goodreads Summary:
City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever.

Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

 

 

My Thoughts:

I read the first three books of The Mortal Instruments series within days of starting them and was so into the series I pre-ordered City of Fallen Angels. It took me over two weeks to finally get through this book. It just wasn't exciting for me. I had to force myself to keep reading throughout most of the book. After about 1/3 of the way through, it picked up a little bit but it still wasn't up to par with the other books. I honestly believe the series should have ended with City of Glass. Don't get me wrong, CoFA wasn't horrible, It just wasn't that good.

I did like seeing more of how The Infernal Devices ties in with The Mortal Instruments, so that was a plus (I prefer TID over TMI.) Jace and Clary were more annoying this time around with their hot and then cold "relationship," Jace's self loathing, and Clary's inability to listen and do as she's told . Everything was just a repeat of the past books. Another thing that really bothered me was the message this book puts out about abuse, [spoiler] Right after Jace purposely cuts Clary with a dagger during a hot make-out session, Clary says, "you would never hurt me" Uh, did you just miss the part where he sliced your arm from your elbow to your wrist. But it's okay because an evil demon has been making him have nightmares about doing it for weeks. Seriously, Clare? and relationships. Clearly, the relationship between Jace and Clary is unhealthy.

I felt the ending was way too contrived. I will continue to read the series only to see what happens with the characters I actually like (Isabelle, Magnus, Alec, Simon) but I will read it before, and if, I buy it this time. 

 

2/5

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week there is a new top ten list question and all you have to do is make the list and then post the link on The Broke and the Bookish. Also know that you don't have to fill up all ten spaces. This weeks topic is... 

Top Ten characters you would want as family members.

1. The Weasley Family from Harry Potter.  Instead of adopting one of them, I'd rather just them adopt me into their family. I love really big families.  When I think of a loving family, theirs comes to mind. They are the picture perfect family I'd love to have.

2. Katniss from The Hunger Games as an older sister. I'm the oldest in my family and i've always wanted to have an older brother or sister and Katniss proves worthy of being a great sister in THG series.

3. Anita Blake from the Anita Blake series would be a pretty fun aunt, I would think.

Title:Nightshade
Author:Andrea Cremer
Series: Witches War # 1
Pages: 452
Publication Date: October 19, 2010
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy


Goodreads Summary:
Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers.

But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

My Thoughs:

I just finished this book and although I had high hopes for it, I’m still not sure how I feel about it.  I do know that i’m really annoyed and frustrated.  I can’t stand careless and selfish protagonists that are supposed to be “smart” but are actually really stupid.

Calla is the Alpha of the Nightshade pack and Ren is the Alpha of the Bane pack and they were basically born so that one day they would be united into one pack. Calla goes against the pack rules and intervenes with fate and saves a hiker’s (Shay) life only to find out that not only is he the new kid at school but also the reason Calla has begun to question her “fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known.”

Alright, let’s get down to the nitty gritty.  This whole book is basically about a love triangle with action packed in at the end.  Calla isn’t sure she can trust Ren because he has a reputation. Even though they have been promised too each other their whole lives you get the feeling that they weren’t very close before the book.  Calla, for some odd reason, finds herself unusually attracted to Shay, just a normal human boy.   Really though, I think you could place any attractive male in from of Calla and her hormones would go crazy.  I felt like she was in heat this entire book, and not in the good way.    She messed around with 2 different men the entire book but I think we’re actually supposed to feel sorry for her.  Instead, I found myself angry with her. And yet she was still judging Ren for his reputation.  so laughable.

Usually I go for the forbidden romance cliches, but not this time.  I don’t see why Calla is so drawn to Shay.  He’s hot and is apparently intelligent because he reads Hobbes.  But I couldn’t find it within myself to like him.  When Ren and Calla decide to to get closer because their union is getting closer all we hear from Shay is how Ren thinks Calla is his property.  Shay was just as bad as Ren.  He was just as pushy as Ren, if not more.  Shay constantly charmed his way into getting Calla to do things she really didn’t want to do and constantly forced his opinions and ideas on her.  I felt that Ren truly loved Calla, but Calla didn’t deserve the love of Ren.

Calla spends the entire book making rash decision after rash decision and acting on impulse.   I couldn’t believe how she could just give everything up over someone she just met.  She didn’t even know him but continued to tell him about things no other human knew, the Guardians (basically their term for werewolf).   Again, the act of a supposedly smart girl being so very stupid.   I probably would have liked Shay more if his character was built up more.  I felt like the Author was saying “Oh look, here’s an attractive man that reads books and is sweet, so you MUST like him.”  Sure, he was sweet  but he was also whiny, manipulative, presumptuous,  and pretentious.

I got confused a couple of times because we are thrust into this story and all these terms like “Seekers,” “Wraiths,” and “Searchers” are being thrown around and we don’t actually find out what any of this means until later on in the book.  It was actually pretty messy.  And the end was extremely predictable.  I actually guessed what would happen pretty early on in the book, sadly. 

Don’t get me wrong.  I liked the book.  I didn’t think it was bad but I’ve definitely read better.  It was much better than the past two doozies I’ve read.  I will continue on with the series, it just won't be a top priority.

3/5

Review: I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore (SPOILERS)

Title:I am Number Four
Author: :Pittacus Lore
Series: Lorien Legacies (Book 1)
Pages: 272
Publication Date: August 3, 2010
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction


Goodreads Summary:
In the beginning they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorian. Nine aliens who scattered on Earth. Nine aliens who look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives, but who have extraordinary, paranormal skills. Nine aliens who might be sitting next to you now.

The Nine had to separate and go into hiding. The Mogadorian caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John Smith, of Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next.

I AM NUMBER FOUR is the thrilling launch of a series about an exceptional group of teens as they struggle to outrun their past, discover their future—and live a normal life on Earth.

I AM NUMBER FOUR.
I AM NEXT.

My Thoughs:
 I saw the trailer for the movie around a month ago and decided to read the book before the movie came out.  I had very high hopes that this book would be nothing less of amazing but I was saddened to learn that it was just mediocre. I really enjoyed the first half of the book.  During the second half of the book I found that I kept getting more and more frustrated with each chapter.  

Four and his guardian, Henri, are constantly moving around the US to keep from being found by their enemies, the Mogadorians.  The Lorien childrien that came to earth had a spell placed upon them that meant that the Mogadorians had to kill each child in order unless 2 of the Lorien children come near each other, then the spell is broken and the Mogadorians can kill them in any order they please.  Each time a Lorien child is murdered all the remaining Lorien children receive a scar that forms around their ankle.  Each Lorien child lives in a different part of the world to keep the Mogadorians from finding them so easily.


Four and Henri decide to move to a small town in Ohio this time around. He is supposed to lay low and to blend in.  You would think that Four would take this serious considering he carries 3 scars around his ankle as a reminder of the 3 Loriens that have already died, but it seems as if he could care less.  On the first day of school he gets into an altercation with the school bull and accidentally shows people his first legacy.   Even after that he still remains to be careless throughout the entire book. He gets a beautiful (Surpise!) girlfriend and a best friend. Several times his guardian wanted to leave town because not only were the Mogadorians we're close, but also because Four has messed up time after time, leading the Magadorians towards them. Four uses his new powers to his advantage and forces Henri to stay against his better judgement.  Even when he knew the Mogadorians had found him he still refused to leave, endangering everyone he cares about.

On the front of the book there is a blurb from Michael Bay that says "Number Four is the hero of our generation"   I'm actually baffled at that statement.  Four lies through his teeth and puts his own selfish needs before the safety of anyone else, and in the end, it backfires getting people hurt and killed.... But yet we're supposed to sympathize with him? NOT A CHANCE.  At one point in the book there is a war going on, a war that he knew was coming if he didn't leave town, and he tells Henri he "didn't know this was going to happen" even though through the whole book Henri is telling him this is exactly what would happen if he wasn't careful.

I also couldn't get past all the holes in the book that left me with lingering questions. For example,   If the Loriens sent the kids to earth so that they could come back one day and repopulate their planet, why did they only send 9 kids?  Shouldn't they have sent an even number of people? 5 boys and 5 girls?  It was made clear that Loriens are monogamous.  They find their love and stay with them until they die.  So, assuming that they would hope for the best and none of the kids died, why would they send an odd number? 

I didn't hate the book, but I didn't like  the book either.  I still want to see the movie and I honestly think it's going to be better then the book which is a bid deal for me because the book is always better.

2/5