Review: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Prince
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: Infernal Devices (Prequel series of The Mortal Instruments)
Book #: 2
Release Date: December 6, 2011

Oh.....my....goodness. I'm not even sure how to start this review. I finished Clockwork Prince last night, and hurriedly went onto Cassandra Clare's website for extras. My mind was pretty much boggled because I had SO many thoughts ad emotions running through my head at once.

SPOILERS AHEAD!!

One thing that kind of bothered me- I'll get this out before getting to the good parts- is that there wasn't a huge battle scene near the end of the book. Plus, we never got to see the antagonist during the book. I guess there was the scene with the automatons, but that happened with 100 pages left. It was just weird...but maybe it was to break away from the norm. All of Cassandra Clare's books have left us with a physical battle. Instead, she left us with a battle of emotions.

The plot overall was great. There were minor things that bothered me a little, but the revelations about Jessamine and Nathaniel, and Nate and Aunt Harriet were intriguing. They went together well as a couple, because I never liked either of them. I could never muster any sympathy for either of them, because they brought it on themselves by being so selfish and stupid, in my opinion. I also loved the scenes at the ball, and, obviously, all of the scenes with Tessa and Jem, and Will and Tessa.

Jem and Will. This is the part where I am sooo confused. I have always had a strong view for either one character or another in books. Always Jace in The Mortal Instruments, Edward in Twilight, Alex in Delirium, and yet, I can't figure out who I want Tessa to be with. I think Jem would be the best choice for her because he's so sweet, calm, and kind, but he is dying...but then again, that could be why he needs her to be with him. And when he proposed I was so happy for him. But Will should be with her because of what he went through to love her, their mutual love for books, and the fire he starts inside of Tessa. Who knows how Clare will end the trilogy in Clockwork Princess?! She can't make everyone happy, there's no way. But I also don't think the Herondale boys should always get the girl...

Will. I knew something was up with him from the beginning, that he wasn't really that cruel. Yet, I have to say that I prefer the snappy, sarcastic Will more than the giddy, pleasant, post-curse Will. It definitely made him more interesting as a character. Many he'll go back to being snappy and rude in the next one because he is so upset by Tessa and Jem...?

Jem. It makes me sad that such a lovely character is dying. I keep getting petrified that he will die soon :( There is only one book left...but she might not do it because all of the Team Jem followers would likely show up at her house with torches.

Charlotte and Henry. I am SO pleased they finally communicated to each other! I could see it all along, but it still bothered me that they both thought the other was in the relationship for the wrong reasons.

Sophie and Gideon. I really like Sophie, and I enjoyed getting to know more about her character in the sequel. I'm also glad she found Gideon, who I think is lovely. It also leaves me wondering...will Sophie and Gideon Lightwood become the ancestors of our Lightwoods in TMI?! Or will it be the awful Gabriel?

There are many questions that I can't wait to be answered...so why must I wait until March 2013?! It's cruel!! Anyway, I award this book five stars.

Review: Mothership by Martin Leicht and Isla Neal

Title: Mothership
Author: Martin Leicht and Isla Neal
Series: Ever- Expanding Universe
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Pages: 310
My Rating: 4.5/5

Teen pregnancy is never easy—especially not when extraterrestrials are involved. The first in a new trilogy.

Elvie Nara was doing just fine in the year 2074. She had a great best friend, a dad she adored, and bright future working on the Ares Project on Mars. But then she had to get involved with sweet, gorgeous, dumb-as-a-brick Cole—and now she’s pregnant.

Getting shipped off to the Hanover School for Expecting Teen Mothers was not how Elvie imagined spending her junior year, but she can go with the flow. That is, until a team of hot commandos hijacks the ship—and one of them turns out to be Cole. She hasn’t seen him since she told him she’s pregnant, and now he’s bursting into her new home to tell her that her teachers are aliens and want to use her unborn baby to repopulate their species? Nice try, buddy. You could have just called.

So fine, finding a way off this ship is priority number one, but first Elvie has to figure out how Cole ended up as a commando, work together with her arch-nemesis, and figure out if she even wants to be a mother—assuming they get back to Earth in one piece.

My Favourite Series and Why You Should Read Them: Part 1

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

This series. I cannot explain to you how much I love it. When you explain it to someone, the demons vs. humans with angel blood sounds CRAZY. However, the books are so well written, it makes you forget that the storyline could not actually be plausible in the real world. Hey, that's what great book do, isn't it? They make you feel as though you are part of their world.

The story is so intense, it actually made my best friend fall off her chair...embarrassing. Although the intense story will make you gasp, cry, jump, and screech, it also has many moments of comic relief to break the tension.

The characters are definitely some of my favourite characters of any book series (Click HERE to read mine and my affiliate, Amber's picks for TMI movie cast). Especially the boys...Jace Lightwood has pretty much stolen my heart. If there was a contest between Jace, Jack Dawson from Titanic, and Westley from The Princess Bride, it would be a tough decision... Can I choose all three?!)




I also love this story because it isn't the same old vampire love story that seems to be attacking the shelves today. The Mortal Instruments isn't just a series about love. It's all about friendship, good vs. evil, family, beliefs, and morals which not only make the books interesting to read, but they leave you with more than just "okay, they fell in love and it was cute but cheesy".

Alright, I'll admit that there is a love story in the books, but just like all of the other pieces of the series, the love story is not exactly normal. It is a whirlwind of emotion that will make you feel as though you are Clary Fray.

What else can I say?! You NEED to read this book. It is essential for your survival. Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic, but these books are seriously amazing. Go and buy City of Bones, NOW. Please :)

JK Rowling's New Novel: The Casual Vacancy

I am a self proclaimed Harry Potter maniac. The intricacy of the story and the the details Rowling has weaved into her series was incredible. That beloved series is now being joined on the bookshelf of Rowling's published works. I can't decide how I feel about it, honestly.

When news first broke about a new book that would be released by her, I was skeptical and worried. Mostly worried that the new book would 'ruin' HP for me, just as I thought The Host would ruin Twilight. Perhaps I should get over being biased. Of course authors want to make a living being an author and not just a life being known for one series, but HP was such a large and well-known phenomenon that Rowling will ALWAYS be known as the author of Harry Potter.

In my opinion, no matter how good her new book is, it will never come close to Harry Potter and the world at Hogwarts in my heart. There is something about magic and making people believe in the world, believing that magic is possible maybe.

The new premise sounds good for a book. But when you compare a young boy growing up learning magic and battling evil to council elections, I'm sure which one would be higher on my list at first glance. Then again, I haven't read the book, it might blow me away. We'll just have to wait and see...

Waiting on Wednesday

Title: Keep Holding On
Author: Susane Colastanti
Release Date: May 31st, 2012


Noelle's life is all about survival. Even her best friend doesn't know how much she gets bullied, or the ways her mom neglects her. Noelle's kept so much about her life a secret for so long that when her longtime crush Julian Porter starts paying attention to her, she's terrified. Surely it's safer to stay hidden than to risk the pain of a broken heart. But when the torment of a friend takes a dramatic turn, Noelle realizes it's time to stand up for herself—and for the hope that makes her keep holding on.

Happy 4th of July!

Waiting on Wednesday

Title: Fever

Author: Lauren DeStefano

Series: Chemical Garden

Book #: 2

Release date: February 24th, 2012

Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.

Review: Grecian Holiday by Kate Cann

Title: Grecian Holiday
Author: Kate Cann
Series: Beach Books
Book #: 3
Release Date: June 4th, 2002
Page #: 352

Dear Mike,

Arrived at the old villa 3 days ago. It's all blue shy, white walls and heat here -- you'll see. Jade's's already heading for trouble and I can't suss Sarah out. Hope you and your mates are having a blast on your trek, especially without me dragging you down. I bet deep down you're glad I bailed out. Ill see you before this postcard even finds you.

Miss you Kelly XOX"

When Kelly opts out of a summer of roughing it with her intimidating, intense boyfriend, Mike, she doesn't realize she's opted into a summer that will change everything, especially herself.