Cover Reveal - Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Now, I have yet to read Clockwork Angel... but I really want to. I love the cover. And despite my misgivings about the whole Mortal Instruments series, I'm willing to give the Infernal Devices a shot. Maybe it can redeem the first three books for me.

Clockwork Angel

And.... without further ado....

Tada! Clockwork Prince . I just love these covers! What do you guys think. Was it worth the wait?

 

And, since May is drawing to a close, I post this one last time... if ya'll go look at my Random Acts of Kindness post I'd love you forever. And ever. Did I mention I'd love you? Cuz I would. ;-)

Happy reading.

Review: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare (possible spoilers)

The 3rd book in the series was considerably LESS disturbing (for the most part) than the first 2. The whole series so far has been disturbing. I really wonder why the whole... for lack of a better term... incestuous theme was introduced. I really struggled with starting this book for that sole reason. Sorry... brotherly/sisterly love THAT way is just NOT my thing. I almost just wanted to throw all 3 books in the trash.

BUT, like I said, this book wasn't as gross and hard to stomach. I think I actually enjoyed most of it, honestly. Except for the part where Clary is whining about being on Wayfarer. I mean really... unless a horse is just completely off it's rocker, it's not going to simply turn around and take a chunk out of you. That part got on my nerves. Big time.

Moving on.

Not-Sebastian was ... strange. I don't remember any hair dye coming off in Clary's fingers which apprently is a big thing towards the end of the book. It obviously didn't make that much of an impression on me. Still love Simon. I think he's my favorite character, next to Luke, who really didn't play a huge roll in this book. Or at least not as big a roll as I'd like.

I'm unsure as to whether or not I want to star the Infernal Devices series... and then read City of Fallen Angels. I'm just not sure. I mean, Clary bothers me. She really doesn't think about anyone but herself. She says she does. But I don't know. It's really everyone either bends to Clary's will, or she'll do it anyway. Regardless of who has to clean up after her.

And I now cannot stand the word ICHOR. Can't stand it. You can use a word TOO many times. And that word was it. Can't stand it. I got tired of seeing the word PRETERNATURAL while reading Nicole Peeler's Jane True series (which are still awesome books), and for this series... ICHOR makes me wanna scream every time I see it now. Too sensative? Maybe. But I really can't stand repetition. Seriously.

I guess I would recommend this series to people with strong stomachs. Demons, blood, guts.... those I can deal with. But people who think they're brother and sister (regardless of whether or not they really are) but don't let that stop them from basically wanting to jump each other's bones just turns my stomach.

But kudos to Clare for at least making this one better than the first 2.

Teaser Tuesday #9

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

•Grab your current read
•Open to a random page
•Share two (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!

The teaser I was originally going to do will have to wait until the book is posted back online. It was originally going to be from The Blood Knight Series but book 2 has temporarily been removed from the internet. SO.

Since I put City of Glass on hold to read and review Experience, I am now finishing up City of Glass.

I know I did a teaser from this one LAST week, but all of my other books are downstairs on my NEW BOOKSHELVES, and people are still working on the rest of the basement. So I don't want to go down and grab anything else.

My teaser:

"Because I needed to talk to her. Alone." He caught Clary's eyes again, and the intensity in them gave her pause. She wanted to tell him not to look at her like that when Jace was there, but that would sound unreasonable and crazy, and besides, maybe he actually had something important to tell her. p 259

Can't wait to see all your teasers!

Review - City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Like many who came before me, I liked City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare more than City of Bones.

WITH THAT BEING SAID. Honestly, what person does not have a violently ill reaction to finding out they've been snogging their own sibling? If they are, in fact, 100% brother and sister (I'm still not completely convinced) WHAT PERSON IN THEIR RIGHT MIND would say "Oy, sister dear, I don't care if we share parents, I love you in an unnatural way, gimme a kiss." And then proceed to make out in front of people. And how the people WATCHING don't hurl all over the place remains a mystery to me.

I mean, it was one thing when it's thrown at you at the end of the previous book (sorry for the spoiler). But I figured that'd be the end of it. Because really... if it were me... I probably would have heaved after finding out I was related to someone I'd made out with days before. And then I'd never speak to them again.

That's a natural reaction right?

To say... EW. Instead of... "But I still love you, lets run away together where no one knows we're brother and sister."

It's seriously disturbing and it almost made me put the book down because the concept is just disgusting. Like I said, I am not convinced wholly that they ARE in fact brother and sister, BUT THEY ARE. And ew... just... ew.

Like I said, I liked this one better than the first... but it's really hard to get past the fact that INCEST is extremely prominent in this series. It's gross. Not endearing. PLEASE please please let the third book be different. Or else I just won't bother picking up City of Fallen Angels. Or Clockwork Angel. Or any other Cassandra Clare novel at all.

* EDIT

Ok I'm back. Had to let it sit for a while before I could finish.

I liked meeting Alec's and Isabelle's parents (mostly mother, dad wasn't really written about a lot). Even though I detested her upon first meeting her, she redeemed herself. And the twist with Simon? There was no indication (that I saw) that he thought something was wrong until after the whole thing happened at the faerie court. So it was kind of weird. But I liked it. Because I'd felt bad for him in the first book. Being the only "breakable" person in the series.

Clare does seem to have an affinity though for killing people off and then saying "OH HA... just kidding!" Just sayin.

I liked that Luke took on a more paternal role in this book. Whenever I picture him I see Luke from Gilmore Girls. Maybe that's why I like him. Hmmm... anyways. As an aside, I'm really interested to see who plays all of these characters in the movie(s) (which I may or may not see... because if there's one thing worse than READING about incest it's WATCHING IT).

I'm just... I'm not really sure what to say. In the first book Clary acts jealous when someone else shows an interest in Simon. Yet, he's madly in love with her and SHE DOESNT CARE. At least she didn't spend most of this book telling us that she'd forgotten he existed.

Oy. Somewhat against my better judgement, I am going to read the third installment. With me luck.

Review - City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Alright. I finished City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. Over all I enjoyed it.

"Luke, I am your father."

Anyways.

I liked the book. It was pretty decent. There were definitely some descriptive parts that I skipped over (and when I say that I mean just way too much description for ONE thing, and I could just NOT read it and it wouldn't detract anything from the story) and some things that I felt needed more description. We all heard about Jace's hair and his scars and what he wore etc, but what about Clary... she's a redhead. That's about all I remember of her description.

I steered away from the Jace/Clary train. Simon was supposedly her best friend for such a long time, her Dawson if you will (as in... Dawson's Creek), and yet, she just completely FORGOT HE EXISTED several times. And Cassandra made a point of pointing that out... several times. I felt bad for him. She had gotten a shiny new toy so who cares about the old classics right?

The whole "City of Bones" angle wasn't really all that memorable. The book could have just as easily been titled something else and it wouldn't have really made a difference.

BUT... that being said. I loved Luke. Even when he was being a complete jerk I knew there had to be a reason behind it. And Madam Dorothea? I kept picturing her as Zelda Rubinstein. You know, from Poltergeist and Teen Witch? I'd bet money that if she were still alive she'd be first pick to play that part in the movie. Too funny. And Magnus. I did like him. He reminded me of someone and I just can't put my finger on it right now. But when I was reading I had a picture of someone who could pass for him in my head. Maybe Meshach Taylor (Hollywood from the movie Mannequin back in 1987). I also loved how Jace was so snarky. He always had a witty comeback and was completely arrogant and uber confident.

There were definitely some interesting twists in the story. That I won't reveal because I know there are people who read here who haven't read the books. It was those twists that kept the story good for me. Even though there wasn't much (I thought) to do in fleshing out the characters, I'm assuming (since there are more books after this one) that I'll learn more later. The end kind of weirded me out though. Not sure I'll be able to get over that one.

I am definitely intrigued enough to continue on with the series. I wouldn't recommend this to someone looking for something incredibly fast paced (like The Hunger Games for instance), but it is a good read. I'd give it maybe a 3.5 out of 5. Ya know?

Next up.... Tower of Change.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (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!

Ok, so this week I'm going to post teasers for more than one book. The book I'm reading. The book I won on GoodReads which is on deck. And MockingJay which is in the hole.
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare is up first.

"If you wanted me to rip my clothes off you should have just asked." He dug into his pocket and brought out his stele. "It would have been a lot less painful." p 187

On deck is The Keys of Fate novel number 1: Tower of Change by Tina M.Randolph.

Suddenly there was an outpouring of melodramatic opposition, and one of the wizards roared, "Maybe we shouldn't allow them to co-exist. Maybe we should use our magic to make them extinct!" p 36

Last not least comes the batter in the hole,

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. The last in the Hunger Games trilogy!!!!! Happy birthday to me!! Hehe.

"Oh no. It costs a lot more than your life. To murder innocent people?" says Peeta. "It costs everything you are." p 23

In My Mailbox

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren every week.

And I know it hasn't been a full week yet since my last IMM, but I've been holding on to these books (or most of them) for days now and I just can't do it anymore!

There are possible spoilers in here! Just so everyone is aware.

So without further ado.....

Catching Fire. The second book in The Hunger Games trilogy. I loved The Hunger Games so much I couldn't wait to get the second one (luckily, since I'm reading these so late in the game, I don't have to wait... hehe). Catching Fire follows Katniss and Peeta on their "Victory Tour" around the 12 Districts after The Hunger Games. They have to prove their undying love and devotion for each other or face the consequences of their actions at the end of the games. And from the description it seems like their could be a rebellion at hand. I can't wait to read it!

Darkest Mercy. I've been waiting for this one forever. When I first started reading the series, there were 3 out already (what can I say... I'm a slacker). I was walking though the book aisle at Walmart when the cover for Fragile Eternity caught my eye. I snatched it up and went through checkout without another thought. Started trying to read it and couldn't help but feel like I had come in during the middle of the story. Which of course, I had. I learned that Wicked Lovely was actually the first novel, so I went and grabbed that. Read it and then found out that there was ANOTHER one I'd missed. Ink Exchange. Of course I had to buy that one before I could start to read Fragile Eternity again. But read I did. At the time, they were unlike any fae novel I'd ever read before. And I loved them. A while after finishing Fragile Eternity, I found Radiant Shadows. Which was, by far, my favorite book in the series. So with Darkest Mercy, I can't wait to find out what happens with Aislinn and Seth. Can War be defeated? What of Ani and Devlin (my favorite pair in the series!)? Another one I can't wait to crack open!

City Of Ashes and City Of Glass. Now, as I haven't even started this series, I don't personally have a lot to say about it except I've heard nothing but good things about all the books that are out. I knew if I read the first one and loved it I'd kick myself for not having the other two so I snagged those from Walmart as well. :-)

What's in your mailbox?

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristy at The Story Siren.

1. The first novel in the stack is one that was given to me to read. It's Montana Sky by Nora Roberts. I've read a few other novels by Nora. Namely her Sign of Seven series which is set around my area.

Summary from GoodReads: Jack Mercy's three daughters are strangers to each other. Now they must learn to live as a family-in order to gain an inheritance worth 20 million dollars...

2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is not something I normally would have picked out for myself (again, I'm a cover hater) but I've seen so many good reviews and so many other people say that they absolutely love it, I couldn't not read it.

Summary from GoodReads: Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

3. Cassandra Clare's novel City of Bones IS something I've been looking forward to reading. I would have gotten it from the library on my last trip but that was the ONLY one in the series that the library didn't have. So of course I had to run to Borders the first chance I got and pick it up for myself.

Summary from GoodReads: 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