“A Book at the Bottom of Your To-Read List” 2015 Challenge; CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS by Cassandra Clare

It’s not that I don’t enjoy this series, I do.  It’s just that the books drag on sometimes and I have to work myself up to reading them.  Take this book for instance.  I don’t have a traditional to-read list that’s recorded down.  I have a large stack of books in my bedroom that I checked out from the library specifically for this challenge.  I checked this book out in December before I decided to do the reading challenge.  I renewed it, then renewed it again.  Honestly, the only reason I read it now was that I couldn’t renew it again, it was due back at the library, and I was already racking up fines.  That is why I finally read it, and thought that it fit perfectly into this category because there are still other books I have that I would have read before this one. 

 

CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS by Cassandra Clare

Book 4 of The Mortal Instruments Series

 

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

 

The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She’s training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most importantly of all—she can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second, bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her—his mother just found out that he’s a vampire, and now he’s homeless. When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

 

 

MY REVIEW

4.5 out of 5 *Stars*

 

I know that what I said before about this book being at the bottom of my to-read list probably sounded like I hated the book and was forced to read it, but that is far from the truth.  What I said was how I felt before I read this book.  I was still on the fence if I wanted to read it or not.  You gotta understand, City of Glass ended in a way that could have wrapped up the whole series.  Things were resolved, people were happy…  Why uplift all that and start more conflict and drama if you don’t need to?  That was a big reason why I waited so long to read the book. 

Now that I have, I am sucked back in all over again.   The story was good, and it kept my attention.  At first, I was a little thrown off by the constant change of POV, but eventually, the more I got sucked into the story, the more I enjoyed getting the different perspectives. 

At times it might have dragged on a little but as usual, Clare had a way with words that only she could have.

 

“His eyes seemed to contain the sadness of great ages, as if the sharp edges of human sadness had been worn down to something softer by the passing of years, the way sea water wore away the sharp edges of glass.”

That was like a metaphor inside a description, inside another description.  Yes, a little confusing when put like that, but I understood, and got, every word.  There were also descriptions that only a true follower of the series could understand.

“It was hard to see him like this, all his usual burning energy gone, like witchlight suffocating under a covering of ash.”

“What is witchlight,” you say?  Read the series, then get back to me.

I guess a part of me wishes I would have just returned the book back to the library without reading it.  Now, because I enjoyed the book so much, I have to wait not-so-patiently to read the next one.  I am once again hooked and can’t wait to find out what happens next.  Yes, I put this book at the bottom of my “to-read” list, but now I see that it should have never been there.

 

 

11 books down, 41 to go!

 

Happy Reading, Everyone!

 

“A Book with Magic” 2015 Challenge; SPELL BOUND by Rachel Hawkins

What better book to have for my “A Book with Magic” section of my reading challenge, than a book aptly named Spell Bound?

 

SPELL BOUND by Rachel Hawkins

Book 3 in the Hex Hall Trilogy

 

 

 

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

 

Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before its too late?

 

MY REVIEW

3.5 OUT OF 5 *Stars*

 

This book was an almost perfect ending to this fun trilogy.  I’ll get to the “almost” part in a minute.

Here’s what I liked about the book…  It was such an easy read that I read through it in less than a day.  It was fun, witty, and it fit right in with the other two books.  I love how everyone sort of tied in together throughout the story.  There were twists that I didn’t see coming, and I just wanted to jump in the book and play out the scenes with the characters.  It had a little bit darker feel to it than the first two books, but I don’t think it disrupted the continuation of the story.  It was practically a necessity.  You can’t be fun and witty all the time when the world is in danger of a demon / “supe” takeover.       

I know that I’m always talking about how a book made me “feel”.  Anyone who is a non-reader or even an occasional reader wouldn’t understand.  Yes, you can chalk up a book review based on its grammar, the style of writing, or what occurred in the plot.  Those are all things that should be taken into consideration, but the core aspect should always be what the reader felt or didn’t feel while reading the book.  If there’s no heart to a story, a book will fall flat.  That wasn’t the case with this one.    

Here’s what I DIDN’T like…  The ending.  That fight scene… HELLO!  You have a three book build up to this epic showdown and it’s nothing more than a… pop and fizzle.  I can’t go into too much because I don’t want to “spoil” it for someone that hasn’t read the book, but I was utterly disappointed.  Secondly, I hate, I mean REALLY HATE how she wrapped up the love triangle issue.  It was more than sad.  It just felt wrong.  I DEMAND A REWRITE!!  Yeah, sometimes I wish that were possible. LOL  Hawkins did try to add a little spin on it to get the reader back on the warm and fuzzy side, but I’m afraid it was just too late.

Moving on from that, I thought to myself, “Can I really recommend a trilogy that missed the mark at the end of Book 3?  Is reading the rest of it worth it?”  Yeah, I think it is.  Who knows, someone else might love the ending.  It’s only me and my 1 opinion here, even if I do fancy myself right 98% of the time.  :)

 

10 books down, 42 to go!

Happy Reading, Everyone! 

 

“A Book by a Female Author” 2015 Challenge; DEMONGLASS by Rachel Hawkins

So, I found the first book when I was searching for “A book set in High School”. After I read it, I NEEDED to read the next one.  I had already read the “Trilogy” part of the challenge, so I had an idea... Plug the next two books in where I could.  That was surprisingly easy.  Therefore, that is why this book is my “A Book by a Female Author”. So, here’s how I thought it held up to the first one…

 

DEMONGLASS by Rachel Hawkins
Book 2 of the Hex Hall Trilogy

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

 

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (a.k.a. witches, shape-shifters, and faeries). But then she discovered the family secret, and the fact that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie's a demon, one of only two in the world-the other being her father. What's worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will either destroy her powers for good-or kill her.

But once Sophie arrives, she makes a shocking discovery. Her new housemates? They're demons too. Meaning, someone is raising demons in secret, with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they're using Archer to do it. But it's not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

 

 

 MY REVIEW

3.5 OUT OF 5 *Stars*

 

Compared to the first book in the trilogy, I believe this fell a little flat.  Yes, the story was still intriguing and the dialog was still witty, but this definitely felt like a filler book.  You know what that is.  It’s a book that doesn’t have true purpose, but is needed to fill in some blanks before the big finale. 

I liked the direction it took the story in.  I couldn’t help but feel for the demons.  I bet that’s not something you ever thought you’d say.  I was rooting on the love for not one, but TWO males, to the same girl no less.  Then there was the relationship between father and daughter that I wanted to see thrive.  Other than that, this book didn’t bring up too many strong emotions. 

Even though this was not one of the better books I’ve read, it still did its purpose.  It is the second book in a trilogy.  It’s not the catchy first book or the suspenseful third book, but it’s what you need to get from Point A to Point B.  Hawkins, sure enough, draws in the reader’s attention at the very end, and made it nearly impossible NOT to go out and get the third book.  Lucky for me, I already had it on my shelf waiting for me.  Stay tuned for what I thought about THAT book…

 

9 books down, 43 to go!
Happy Reading, Everyone!

“A Book Set in High School” 2015 Challenge; HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins

Thank God for Goodreads!  I’m trying to read books for this challenge that I haven’t read before, and the only common books I know of that are based in High School, I’ve already read.  Therefore, one quick Google search for “Books set in High School”, and BAM, there was one of Goodreads’ Top 20 Lists.  That’ how I found this book.  It starts in a normal High School, but she quickly gets transferred to a Boarding School housing kids from ages 13-18.  Most of the kids are High School age, and they’re in a school, so I’m counting it!

 

HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins
Book 1 in the Hex Hall Trilogy

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father—an elusive European warlock—only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tag-along ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

 

MY REVIEW

5 out of 5 *Stars*

I loved this book!  It was fun, witty, and I found myself smiling through the entire thing.  Yes, it’s a young adult novel, so does the fact that I want to go to Hecate Hall, befriend Sophie Mercer, and crush on Archer Cross make me juvenile?  The reader is right there with Sophie throughout all the teenage drama, and student murder mystery.  There were twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting and I read the entire book in less than 24 hours because I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. 

I was reading through a lot of the other reviews for this book, and people beat down on this book, stating that it lacked originality.   It was said that it was as if Harry Potter, Twilight, and Vampire Academy was blended together, you would get Hex Hall.  I say, who cares? Yeah, there were similarities, but they worked for the other books, why not this one?  Any girl that grew up wanting to be a witch or do spells is going to love this book.

Right after I read this, I reserved the next one in the series at the library.  I had to get it before the high of reading a good book wore off.  There was only one problem.  I am a very busy person, and I only have the time to read books that are on my reading challenge. The “Trilogy” section of my challenge has already been filled, and now I’m here plugging these two other books in where I can.  Stay tuned to find out where I put them. 

8 books down, 44 to go!
Happy Reading, Everyone!

“A Book by an Author You’ve Never Read Before” 2015 Challenge; RAZE by Tillie Cole

This is why I love this challenge so much.  I had passed by this book many times, because, YES, I was judging a book by its cover.  What?  Don’t act too shocked, you know we all do it.  Anyways, I understand it’s supposed to be a zip-up with the hood pulled over his head, and the detail of the tattoos are great, but at quick glance, I always saw a man inside of a shark’s mouth.  Therefore, when I saw this section of the reading challenge, on a whim, I purchased the book.  This is what I thought… 

 

RAZE by Tillie Cole

BOOK DESCRIPTION

 

Conditioned in captivity to maim, to kill and to slaughter, prisoner 818 becomes an unremorseful, unrivaled and unstoppable fighter in the ring. Violence is all he knows. Death and brutality are the masters of his fate.

After years of incarceration in an underground hell, only one thought occupies his mind: revenge...bloody, slow and violent revenge. Revenge on the man who lied.  Revenge on the man who wronged him.  Revenge on the man who condemned him and turned him into this: a rage-fueled killing machine. A monster void of humanity; a monster filled with hate.

And no one will stand in the way of getting what he wants.

*****

Kisa Volkova is the only daughter of Kirill ‘The Silencer’ Volkov, head of the infamous ‘Triad’ bosses of New York's Russian Bratva. Her life is protected. In reality, it’s a virtual prison. Her father’s savage treatment of his rivals and his lucrative and coveted underground gambling ring—The Dungeon—ensures too many enemies lurk at their door.

Kisa has known only cruelty and loss in her short life. As manager of her father’s death match enterprise, only grief and pain fill her days. Her mafia boss father, in her world, rules absolute. And her fiancé, Alik Durov, is no better; the Dungeon’s five-time champion, a stone-cold killer, the treasured son of her father’s best friend, and her very own—and much resented—personal guard. Unrivaled in both strength and social standing, Alik controls every facet of Kisa’s life, dominates her every move; keeps her subdued and dead inside...then one night changes everything.

While working for her church—the only reprieve in her constant surveillance—Kisa stumbles across a tattooed, scarred, but stunningly beautiful homeless man on the streets. Something about him stirs feelings deep within her; familiar yet impossibly forbidden desires. He doesn’t talk. Doesn’t communicate with anyone. He’s a man beyond saving, and a man she must quickly forget...for both their sakes.

But when weeks later, out of the blue and to her complete surprise, he’s announced as the replacement fighter in The Dungeon, Kisa knows she’s in a whole lot of trouble. He’s built, ripped and lethally unforgiving to his opponents, leaving fear in his wake and the look of death in his eyes.

Kisa becomes obsessed with him. Yearns for him. Craves his touch. Needs to possess this mysterious man...this man they call Raze.

 

MY REVIEW

3.5 out of 5 *Stars*

 

Whew! This book, this book.  What to say about this book?  It’s not a warm and fuzzy romance, but it is.  It’s not dirty and brutal, but yet it is as well.  It’s a whole bunch of things gathered into one story.  You can’t help but route for the hero and heroine and for them to be able to conquer it all and finally be together.  At the same time, you’re wondering how that can even be possible.  They had both been through so much, it didn’t seem like it could ever happen. 

I really enjoyed the story.  I loved the talk about soul mates and I loved the whole concept of the story itself.  It was also written really well, but… For some reason I couldn’t get emotionally attached to the characters.  It was as if I couldn’t connect to any of them.  Then there were the times that it got repetitive.  I know the same thing had to be explained to different people, but there is only so many times a person can read about the color of someone’s eye and how it determines soul mates. After a while, I started skimming when it started to mention the hero’s left eye, because I knew the direction it was headed.   

Overall, I thought it was a great book.  It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.  In fact, the majority of it wasn’t, but it was a true love story.  I’ll definitely check out more of Cole’s writing, so I must say that this was perfect for reading “a book by an author I’ve never read before.” Who knows if I would have ever read it otherwise?

 

7 books down, 45 to go!

Happy Reading, Everyone!