WWW Wednesdays (#3)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

MY ANSWERS:

What are you currently reading?

I'm currently staring Jessie Harrell's Destined. I've heard a lot of great things about it and Jessie is absolutely made of awesome, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what this book is all about!

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished up City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. I liked it, but I didn't love it like I did the Infernal Devices. It's a series that I'll definitely finish, but I think I just need some time away to let the books simmer. I promise I'll return, Ms. Clare! :)

 

What do you think you'll read next?

My Teaser Tuesday was from this book, and I really can't wait to get into it! This will definitely be the next book I read after Destined. I've got cover lust on this one, lol. :)

So there you have it, folks! PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own WWW Wednesdays post, or share your answers in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks!

Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: March 27, 2007

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Pages: 485

Received: Purchased

Rating: 3 out of 5 Books

GOODREADS BLURB:

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. . . .

I'm coming away from this one a little disappointed, but I didn't dislike the book...

THE GOOD:

This was Clare's debut into the Shadowhunter world, and she did it was great finesse. Her world planning was well thought out and she delivered an excellent array of characters. Her writing was great - not as good as it has obviously developed into with the newest of her installments, but still very, very good. I enjoyed the ride and I will certainly be reading the rest of the series

THE BAD:

This book wasn't bad, it's just it took me a lot longer to read than her others I've read thus far. I kept thinking to myself that she has a bit of a formula: girl who doesn't know what she is, snarky & sarcastic boy, and a gentle soul boy. Not to say it isn't a good combo, but I guess I just wished that the main character roles weren't quite so similar. The twists were a bit more in plain sight than in her other books too, but I believe that is something that again she's honed after all of the great books she's put out. So the bad isn't bad, it's just not my taste. Still, it's a good book.

OVERALL:

Clare is still by far one of my favorite authors. This just wasn't my favorite book from her. I think I'm going to give Clare a rest for a bit and come back to her Mortal Devices series after having read a couple different books, just so it's fresh again. I still recommend her books vehemently, I just think it might be time for a change in palate for me. :)

RATING: 3 of 5 Books

My Book Boyfriend (#3): Jace Wayland (City of Bones)

Hey all, and welcome to this week's installment of My Book Boyfriend, a weekly meme hosted by Missie over at The Unread Reader. If you'd like to play along, it's simple! Just share one of your latest literary crushes; you know, give his stats, a picture of what you think he might look like, and some of his quotes that make you melt into a heap on your couch, chair, or wherever you read. :) For more details, check out the rules, then get your boyfriend posted! :)

This week my book boyfriend swaggers through the binding of Cassandra Clare's City of Bones. It's the one, the only, Jace Wayland!

 Jace Wayland's Description:

• He's a shadowhunter
• He's got longer blonde hair
• His eyes are a tawny color
• His snark knows no bounds
• He thinks he's God's gift to women

QUOTES:

"Haven't you ever heard that modesty is an attractive trait?"

"Only to from ugly people," Jace confided. "The meek may inherit the earth, but at the moment it belongs to the conceited. Like me."

~*~*~*~

"Those girls on the other side of the car are staring at you."

Jace assumed an air of mellow gratification. "Of course they are," he said. "I am stunningly attractive."

~*~*~*~

"Just because you call an electric eel a rubber duck doesn't make it a rubber duck, does it? And God help the poor bastard who decides they want to take a bath with the duckie."

~*~*~*~

I'm not too far into the book, but already I can tell that Jace is not short on personality, opinions, or snark! I love that in a character, so I'm looking forward to hearing more of his comments. Annnnd, might I mention he's stunningly attractive? No, I don't, since he'll do it for me. :) My Jace is played by model Mathias Lauridsen.

Alright, spill it! Who are your book boyfriends for the week? Share the love! Please leave a comment or a link to your boyfriend in the comments section! Have a great day, and happy eye candy! :)

WWW Wednesdays (#2)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

 

 

 

 

 

 

MY ANSWERS:

What are you currently reading?

 

I'm currently buried in City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. I know, I'm doing this backwards, that The Mortal Instruments was out before The Infernal Devices, BUT! The Infernal Devices ARE the prequels to The Mortal Instruments, so that's what I'm claiming my thought process was. :) I'm enjoying it, but I feel like I enjoyed The Infernal Devices series better. Maybe I just need more time in this world. I am anxious to get to know Jace better, that's for sure!

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare, then jumped right into City of Bones. My favorite of Clare's has been Clockwork Angel, though. I really liked Jem in this one, but I felt like there was too much of a triangle. I won't say more than that, but you guys read it and decide for yourselves!

What do you think you'll read next?

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare if I like City of Bones! Wow, I'm kind of on a Clare kick, aren't I? I'm just glad most of the books are out and I jumped on this bandwagon late, lol. :)

So there you have it, folks! PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own WWW Wednesdays post, or share your answers in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks!

 

 

Teaser Tuesday (#3): City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just click the following link to see the rules. Without further ado, here are my teasers for the week:

• "Clary couldn't believe her ears. 'Are you threatening to kidnap me?' 'If you want to look at it that way,' Jace said, 'yes.'"
• "Clary heard her mother draw in a sharp breath before speaking, her voice eerily calm: 'I love you, Clary.' The phone went dead."

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks!

 

 

Review: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: December 6, 2011

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 359

Received: Purchased

Rating: 4 out of 5 Books

GOODREADS BLURB:

The situation at the London Institute has never been more precarious. With Mortmain and his clockwork army still threatening, the Council wants to strip Charlotte of her power and hand the running of the Enclave over to the unscrupulous and power-hungry Benedict Lightwood.

In the hope of saving Charlotte and the Institute, Will, Jem, and Tessa set out to unravel the secrets of Mortmain’s past—and discover unsettling Shadowhunter connections that hold the key not only to the enemy’s motivations, but also to the secret of Tessa’s identity. Tessa, already caught between the affections of Will and Jem, finds herself with another choice to make when she learns how the Shadowhunters helped make her a “monster.” Will she turn from them to her brother, Nate, who has been begging her to join him at Mortmain’s side? Where will her loyalties—and love—lie? Tessa alone can choose to save the Shadowhunters of London…or end them forever.

Oh, Cassandra Clare, how you tease me!!! Gosh! Once again Clare delivers an astounding book, pulling me full-force into Victorian London and refusing to let me up for air. While I wasn't as completely enamored with this book like its predecessor, it's still a great book, and a great lead-in to the upcoming book in the trilogy.

THE GOOD:

Again, Clare manages to make everything feel as though you're standing on the cobbled streets with Tessa, Jem, and Will. You want to reach out and touch the dresses and wipe the soot from your shoulders as it rains down from the factories. I love that! The emotions she makes you feel for the characters, and the fact that you invest in them is evidence to her ability to paint with words. Everyone was in their element, and I loved getting to know Magnus Bane more. I enjoyed seeing more Downworlders, and I'm sure there are even more amazing characters to come in the third book.

THE BAD:

While it may just be me, I just didn't enjoy the love triangle as much as I did in other books. I felt like Tessa should have known better, I don't know. Plus, she was alternating between kissing the guys on every other page. It just didn't seem like she would do that if she truly cared about either one of them. I also felt like there wasn't as much action in this one as the first, and while it doesn't have to be a constant demon-slaying fest, I felt like there should have been a better culmination of good and evil, if you will.

OVERALL:

Clare is a genius. You can tell the dedication and care she puts into the books before she even puts a letter down by the research and thought she puts into the plot line. I can appreciate that immensely, because it makes her settings that much believable. I LOVE that she gives me so much to see and I know that the remainder of her books will not let me down. The only problem now is that I have to wait so long for the third book in this series! Now I'm going to have to go to the Mortal Instruments series to keep me from going crazy. :)

RATING: 4 of 5 Books

Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: August 31, 2010

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Pages: 476

Received: Purchased

Rating: 5 out of 5 Books

GOODREADS BLURB:

Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Cassandra Clare may be one of the most visual writers I have ever experienced. Her ability to completely infuse Victorian London and make me see what Tessa could see was a wonderful, vivid ride, and I can't wait to move onto Clockwork Prince!!

THE GOOD:

Clare's writing is pure visuals. She leaves no stone unturned or its color, texture, and the shadows that it may cast to question. You're thrown into a movie in your head, and it's amazing. It's truly breathtaking. Few authors I've read can truly make me feel like I'm "there"...honestly I think of J.K. Rowling and Dan Brown, but even Dam Brown isn't as vivid. Clare is incredible. Will is amazing. Jem is perfectly imperfect. Both have flaws, but that's what leaves you wanting more. There's no wonderful, amazing, perfect character, and I enjoy that. Embracing the imperfections makes me appreciate the characterizations even more, and Clare excels at it. The twists she sets you on are completely out in left field, but yet they make perfect sense. She sets you up, and you almost want to smack your head because you think, "Holy cow!" and that's a completely, completely good thing. There's nothing that she could have done to make this book more impressive.

THE BAD:

There is none. Truly. It took me a moment to get into the story, but only because I'm usually not a reader of world building stories. Clare has given me a new take on what it means to truly "show" and not "tell" as a writer, and I enjoyed every minute of the lesson. And this shouldn't even be in the "bad" section, so I digress. :)

CONCLUSION:

If you haven't read this book, go get it now! Clare has woven a world and tale so rich that I doubt she could run out of things to tell if she wanted to. I don't think I will ever get tired of her writing style, and I'm diving into Clockwork Prince right NOW! :)

RATING: 5 of 5 Books

My Book Boyfriend (#2): Will Herondale (Clockwork Angel)

Hey all, and welcome to this week's installment of My Book Boyfriend, a weekly meme hosted by Missie over at The Unread Reader. If you'd like to play along, it's simple! Just share one of your latest literary crushes; you know, give his stats, a picture of what you think he might look like, and some of his quotes that make you melt into a heap on your couch, chair, or wherever you read. :) For more details, check out the rules, then get your boyfriend posted! :)

My book boyfriend rests in the pages of Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel. He's snarky, overconfident, and just might be hiding a side that would make us all swoon! He's Will Herondale!

Will Herondale Description:

• He's a Shadowhunter
• He's stubborn, opinionated, and overly confident in himself
• He's got dark blue eyes and shaggy hair
• Marks cover his body so he can perform his duties as a Shadowhunter
• He's hiding something from Tessa
• His goal in life seems to be to infuriate everyone he comes in contact with.

QUOTES:

"Will leaped down from the ladder and landed lightly in front of her. 'You do believe everything I say, though, don't you? Do I seem unusually trustworthy to you, or are you just a naive sort?'"

~*~*~

"Will sighed and leaned against one of the posts of the bed. 'I had such plans for this evening. The pursuit of blind drunkenness and wayward women was my goal. But alas, it was not to be. No sooner had I consumed my third drink in the Devil than I was accosted by a delightful small flower-selling child who asked me for twopence for a daisy. The price seemed steep, so I refused. When I told the girl as much, she proceeded to rob me.' 'A little girl robbed you?' Tessa said. 'Actually, she wasn't a little girl at all, as it turns out, but a midget in a dress with a penchant for violence, who goes by the name of Six-Fingered Nigel.' 'Easy mistake to make,' Jem said."

~*~*~

"Do you normally turn up in gentlemen's bedrooms in the middle of the night? If I'd known that, I would have campaigned harder to make sure Charlotte let you stay."

~*~*~

"'Well, she's not responding to my advances,' he observed more brightly than he felt, 'so she must be dead.'"

~*~*~

"'You're right,' Will said, 'I shouldn't underestimate my own skills. Should Tessa make a mess of things, I'm sure I'll be able to fight our way through the slavering vampire masses to freedom.'"

~*~*~

"Gabriel's face darkened. 'Is there anything that isn't a joke to you?' 'Nothing comes to mind.' 'You know,' Gabriel said, 'there was a time I thought we could be friends, Will.' 'There was a time I thought I was a ferret,' Will said, 'but that turned out to be the opium haze. Did you know it had that effect? Because I didn't.'"

Oh, how I love a sarcastic, snarky, sexy guy! Will is so yummy sounding, while at the same time I just want to smack him! You know he's got a soft side just hiding all the snark...and I can't wait to find it! My Will is played by Adam Gregory.

What do you think? Who's your book boyfriend this weekend? Leave your link and share those cuties! :)

Teaser Tuesday (#2): Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just click the following link to see the rules. Without further ado, here are my teasers for the week: 

•  "Sophie's words came out in a rush. 'He isn't someone you should care for, Miss Tessa. Not like that. He isn't to be trusted, or relied on. He--he isn't what you think he is.'"
• "'It's alright to love someone who doesn't love you back, as long as they're worth you loving them. As long as they deserve it.'"

--Clockwork Angel, by Cassandra Clare

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks!