Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Bones Author: Cassandra Clare Series: The Mortal Instruments #1 Reading Level: Young Adult Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books | March 27, 2007 Pages: 485 Add it: Goodreads Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Books-A-Million  Synopsis:  When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy? This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know... Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

My thoughts {bzzzzzzzzzzz}: 

The Scene

NYC. Half-human, half-angel hybrids (aka Shadowhunters) who hunt and kill demons. 15 year old girl who doesn't know what anything about this alternate world and is thrown into it unexpectedly. Sound like a typical young adult book yet?

The Girl

Clary was like of lot of main female characters in YA. Kind of normal then gets thrown into a world where normal is anything but. I actually liked her a lot. Surprising because I usually like the more kick ass variety of female main characters. I wouldn't call Clary hardcore like Rose from Vampire Academy but she's still pretty tough.

The Boy(s)

If you like cocky, sarcastic, blond, and, well hot, look no further then Jace Wayland. Jace is very infuriating from the start and kind of a jerk. Buuut, he's also a badass demon hunter who will do anything to protect his brother and sister (not by blood) Isabelle and Alec. Also, Jace really knows how to crack those one-liners. Simon is the other guy in the equation. He's Clary's best friend and kind of in the friend zone. Simon is hilarious! I think he's a great character and definitely is another great reason why I love City of Bones so much.

The WTF?!

I don't really wanna spoil it for ya'll but I have to say it. One word: incest. Yeah, it was really frickin' weird when I found out about this. Trust me, you'll be shocked too. Luckily, almost all the other books are out so you don't have to wait to read what happens next.

The Buzz

I was completely engrossed in City of Bones and read it really fast. I loved the world building and all the different elements of the book. The characters were great, the plot was great, and it kept me thinking about it all the time.

Rating

Really, it should come as no surprise that

Review: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Series: Nightshade #1
Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Philomel October 19, 2010
Pages: 452

Synopsis:

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 Thoughts {bzzzzzzzzzz}:

• The Scene

Well, oh, well, what do we have here? Werewolves, love triangles, giant spiders, creepy wraiths, keepers, searchers -- wait, GIANT SPIDERS?!? Actually, it was just one spider. But, still that was one giant mother of an arachnid. Huge freaky-assed spiders aside, the scene of Nightshade was comprised of kickass werewolves and, surprise, a complicated love triangle. Don't turn your nose away just yet though. This book has some buzz.

• The Girl

Calla Tor's a Guardian which is just a fancy way of saying she's a werewolf, part of a pack that guards sacred sites for their "masters", the Keepers, to keep away from the Searchers. Oh, and Calla's also the alpha of her young pack, the Nightshade's, soon to be merged with the Bane's. Did ya get that? Don't worry just read the book and you'll get it. Matter of fact, you might just love it.

• The Boy(s)

Holy love triangle! Ren or Shay? Shay or Ren? Who cares? They're both smokin' and awesome! (Did I just say smokin'?) No, but seriously for me I lean more toward Ren. Shay just seemed a little too insta-love between him and Calla.

• The WTF?!

Calla and Shay's insta-love. Calla's switch between two boys like bam! she's with Ren so she's all over him then kaboom! she's with Shay and fawning over him. I mean, jeez pick one. But, then again that's the whole complicated love triangle thingy. Also, we're back to the big, giant, nasty frickin' assed spider. Yeah, and it's a brown recluse. So, not only it can kill you with it's huge size, but you also have to watch out for it's poison or venom or whatever too. Did I mention that I HATE spiders? No, like abhor, detest, cringe, shudder, loathe, dislike, repulsed, and revolted by these eight legged things. So, you can imagine my dislike when I read that scene. I'm totally like Ron Weasley with the "Why spiders? Why couldn't it be follow the butterflies?"

• The Buzz

If your looking for a buzzy book then you've come to the right place! Nightshade has tons of buzz! It's full of action, romance, and supernatural foray. Personally, I loved it and can't wait to read book two, Wolfsbane!

• My Favorite Quotes

"I've never really made friends, at least not close ones, I think that's why I read so much. Books have been my real companions."

--Shay

"I belong to Ren," I said, hating the words, wishing Shay could kiss me and make the rest of the world disappear. "There's nothing I can do to change that."
"You belong to yourself," he said quietly. "And I can wait for you to figure that out."

--Calla and Shay

"Tell me you'll come back for the pack. For me." His eyes were bright with tears. "I don't want to lose you."
I couldn't speak. Tears welled up in my eyes and I stepped away from him. But Ren caught me in his arms.
"Do you love him?" His eyes searched mine.
"Don't ask that," I said, lips still burning from my confession to Shay, now stinging with deceit. "This isn't about love. It's about survival."
"No, Calla." His voice became hushed. "This is only about love."
And then he was kissing me. His lips moved over mine in a slow caress, hands running over my body, every touch begging me to stay. I could tell he believed he would never kiss me again. Part of me wanted to linger, clinging to him, knowing all the ways we were meant for each other, how well we fit. But another part tugged me away already running through the forest, chasing after a fate unknown. I choked back a sob when Ren released me and turned away.
The charcoal gray wolf paused and looked back once more before disappearing into the trees. From behind me, I heard the lone cry of a wolf. The howl echoed as it rose toward the full moon, a sound full of agony and irreparable loss.

--Calla and Ren
Ahhh, this last quote! The feels!

Review: Danse Macabre by Laurell K. Hamilton

Danse Macabre by Laurell K. Hamilton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Series: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #14
Reading Level: Adult
Publisher: Jove June 27, 2006
Pages: 517

Synopsis:

These days, Anita Blake is less interested in vampire politics than in an ancient, ordinary dread she shares with women down the ages: she may be pregnant. And, if she is, whether the father is a vampire, a werewolf, or someone else entirely, he knows perfectly well that being a Federal Marshal known for raising the dead and being a vampire executioner, is no way to bring up a baby.





My thoughts:

This will be a short review because Danse Macabre was a dull read and I really don't have much to say on it. Here are reasons why this book is sooo boring:


1. Nothing happens. Literally, there is no plot, no premise, you wouldn't even think it's an Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter book. Quite seriously, if you picked up Guilty Pleasures, the first book, read it and then read this boring mess you would be scratching your head, like huh? Is this even the same series?

2. All talk, no action. I mean how can an author write her whole book based on talking about nothing? It was just so boring. This is Anita and everybody else: oh, no I'm pregnant! What am I going to do?! Now we talk forever about the baby. Yadda yadda. Wait, now I've getting more powers! Now, we have to talk forever about said powers. Yadda yadda yadda. Oh, now someone's feelings got hurt. I'm Anita so I have to go console him and talk about meaningless things the whole time. It's goes on and on. It's like that teacher in Charlie Brown where she talks but you can't understand a word she's saying.

Now you see why it was like watching paint dry. I gave Danse Macabre two stars because it was just okay. Not horrible (although reading over this review, it sounds like its horrible) but nowhere near good either. Nevertheless, I'm going to give the next book, The Harlequin, a try and hope for the best. Besides, I've heard that later in the series Hamilton gets back on track so to speak to the Anita from the first nine books. Oh, and did I forget to tell you that it took me almost a YEAR to read this book. Yeah. That's how boring it was. Now that I read over my review, it seems that I had more to say about this book than I thought. Huh.

What did you think of Danse Macabre? Boring as heck or did you find it entertaining?

Review: The Rising by Kelley Armstrong

The Rising by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Darkness Rising #3

Reading Level: Young Adult

Publisher: HarperCollins April 2, 2013

Pages: 406

Synopsis:

Things are getting desperate for Maya and her friends. Hunted by the powerful St. Clouds and now a rival Cabal as well, they're quickly running out of places to hide. And with the whole world thinking they died in a helicopter crash, it's not like they can just go to the authorities for help.

All they have is the name and number of someone who might be able to give them a few answers. Answers to why they're so valuable, and why their supernatural powers are getting more and more out of control.

But Maya is unprepared for the truths that await her. And now, like it or not, she'll have to face down some demons from her past if she ever hopes to move on with her life. Because Maya can't keep running forever.

Old secrets are revealed and unexpected characters make a surprising return in this stunning conclusion to Kelley Armstrong's New York Times bestselling Darkness Rising trilogy.

My thoughts:

**Some Spoilers**

It’s done. The last book in the Darkness Rising trilogy is over. There will be no more adventures with Maya, Daniel, Rafe, Corey, Ash, Chloe, Derek, Simon, and Tori. That sucks. But, I think, I hope, that Kelley Armstrong will write more books about these characters. I’m saying this ‘cause she left some stuff open like their story is not done quite yet. Maya, Chloe, and the others still intend to fight back when their older so that’s when another series could come in to play. And it could coincide with Armstrong’s adult series. Again, I hope so badly. 

Now on to the book. The Rising was well done, in my opinion. I liked the pace and the plot of the story. The ending was good, all loose ends tied up. But, like I said before I think Armstrong leaves more for a continuation with the characters. I would have liked more of their powers shown more in the action scenes and stuff though. I also wanted Maya to end up with Rafe but I guess Daniel will do. I thought it was a little abrupt with the ending in that aspect. I loved that Chloe, Derek, Simon, and Tori were in it but I wanted them in it more. Other than these things, I enjoyed The Rising and am sad for this one to be the last in the trilogy.

Favorite Quotes:

“I gave him a look. “Do you really think that matters? We’re bought and paid for, whatever the currency. They say they want us happy, but they really just want compliant.” I looked at him. “I don’t do compliant.” 

--Maya 

Maya: “But you weren’t paying attention to Antone’s message, were you?”
Ash: “Considering how long it was, I don’t think anyone was. The guy just goes on and on. I see where you get it from.”

--Maya and Ash

"We’ll meet you here. Hopefully everyone will be in human form.” A wry smile. “Though I’ll warn you, he’s not a whole lot more pleasant that way. At least as a wolf, he can’t talk.” 

--Chloe

“We ran to the others—it was clear Derek wasn’t accepting a leisurely stroll. I took the lead so this huge guy wouldn’t come barreling down on them. That wasn’t the way anyone needed to wake up. It was still chaos. Derek barked orders. Chloe tried to calm him. When he didn’t listen, I snapped that he wasn’t helping matters. He snapped back. Ash jumped to my defense, snarling like an alley cat. Daniel intervened to mediate. Derek turned on him. Corey rushed to Daniel’s side, fists ready. Rafe braced to join in if a fight broke out.
It was fun.” 

--Maya

Corey: “Uh-huh. I suspected I was getting the cold shoulder earlier, but with everything going on, I wasn’t sure. Now I’m sure. You’re giving me the look.”
Maya: “What look?”
Corey: “The Maya’s-pissed-with-Corey look. Fifty percent disappointment, thirty percent disapproval, twenty percent exasperation. I’ve done something you’re not happy about.”

--Corey and Maya

Maya: “Daniel and I raced over as Corey rose, rubbing his shoulder and wincing.”
Corey: “Okay,” he said. “How did I end up--?”
Maya: “He convulsed and retched, spewing the cupboards with half-digested pizza.”
Corey: “Really not a cool power”

--Maya and Corey

Maya: “I crouched as Corey sat. “Did you see anything else?” He glowered at Derek.”
Corey: “I’m sure I would have if Teen Wolf hadn’t tried to dislocate my shoulder. The vision’s gone now, and once it’s gone, it doesn’t come back.”

--Maya and Corey

“Yes, Daniel had a truck. No, it wasn’t his old, falling-apart one. It wasn’t brand new, but the Nasts diligently rewarded responsibility. Daniel could be trusted not to take off at midnight and go partying in the next town, so Daniel got his own truck. Corey had a bicycle.” 

--Maya

What did you think of The Rising? Please comment, let me know!