City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare | Book Review

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

The Mortal Instruments #2
First Published: 2008
Paperback
Young Adult, Fantasy
Rating:

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? Clary would love to spend more time with her best friend, Simon. But the Shadowhunters won't let her go--especially her handsome, infuriating newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil--and also her father. When the second of the Mortal Instruments is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor suspects Jace. Could Jace really be willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

City of Ashes and I started off rocky. If you read my review of City of Bones you know that I read that book twice (because I couldn't remember anything). What you don't know is that the first time I read it, I proceeded to open City of Ashes immediately. I read the prologue. I closed the book. It stayed closed for about... oh, I dunno... two years, maybe?..

I can't even explain what went wrong and why this happened. Maybe I wasn't in the mood for it. But whatever it was, I kept recalling that I did in fact do that every time I considered reading the book, and so I became too afraid to actually read it.

So afraid, that I had to limit myself on a vacation by taking City of Ashes only to make myself read it. If you're like me, who take 3 physical books and a full kindle everywhere, you must understand how dire the situation truly was.

I ended up being completely baffled by my initial reaction. City of Ashes, for me, was a much superior book to City of Bones.

Firstly, I got to like Clary better in this book. I never hated her, but I was never sure I liked her, either. Does that make any sense? Anyways, in this book Clary discovers a power that finally makes her useful. She is no longer helpless. And that makes her much more interesting, to me.

Though, I will say - I was gritting my teeth so bad at how she behaved with Simon! That is NOT okay.

As for Jace, the first book I was surprised to like this character, who is named a jerk (though usually affectionately) by many people. In this book I was once again surprised that I liked him - this time, because I strangely enjoyed his mopey and sullen attitude. It added a much needed vulnerability to his character, making him that much more relate-able.

A character that I lost some respect towards (thought I still love him) is actually Simon. Why would you go into a lair of vampires? That is such a stupid thing to do. The end of the book with him was interesting, for sure, though I don't quite understand how it was possible. Hopefully, Clare explains this in the next book (side note: did Clare explain? I can't seem to remember o-o)

My possibly favorite part of the book was listening to Simon recite Sh'ma Israel. It was very accurate, because that is the prayer a Jewish person would use (I should know lol), and I wasn't actually expecting it.

Simon also gets a possible future love interest in this book, called Maia. I hated her. She is just such a useless character, so unnecessary to the plot. Hopefully, Clare won't negate Simon to an actual relationship with her.

Two side characters I feel deserve the extra mention are Luke and fan favorite (and my favorite) Magnus Bane.

I love Luke for the fatherly feeling he gives off, and Magnus for the sparkly feeling he gives off. Both of them create a large contrast between how you (and the Shadowhunters) expect a character like themselves to be and how they really are, Luke because he is the farthest thing away from the cruel, vicious werewolf and Magnus because he is not the typical wise, bearded Mage but a colorful collection of traits that create this persona that is so much fun to be around!

I hope to see more of both these characters in the following books (with emphasis on Magnus's relationship with Alec).

"Every time you almost die, I almost die myself".

As for the romance - I was kind of on the middle with it. Sometimes I loved it, like when Jace said the quote above. At that moment? I shipped it hard. 

But then sometimes I hated it. Like when Jace started blowing up over things Clary hadn't even said, based on his wrapped interpretation on them-- and Clary wouldn't even contradict his weird assumptions, instead continuing on with the conversation as if he is right. Like, major wtf.

I think this reading experience was so much better than in City of Bones because, above all else, I got used to the writing. But I'll be honest, I still don't like it.

Book Review: Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Graceling Realm #1
First Published: 2008
Paperback
Young Adult, High Fantasy
Rating:

In a world where people born with an exceptional skill, knows as Grace, are both feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a skill even she despises: the Grace of killing.
Feared by the court and shunned by those her own age, the darkness of her Grace casts a heavy shadow over Katsa's life. Yet she remains defiant; when the King of Lienid's father is kidnapped she investigates, and stumbles across a mystery. Who would want to kidnap the old man, and why? And who was the extraordinary Graced man whose fighting abilities rivaled her own?
The only thing Katsa is sure of is that she no longer wants to kill. The intrigue around this kidnapping offers her a way out - but little does she realize, when she takes it, that something insidious and dark lurks behind the mystery. Something spreading from the shadowy figure of a one-eyed king...

I really cannot even describe the amount of love I have for this book. Can you shout BLEW MY MIND AWAY loud enough?!

This book came to me in the midst of a reading slump. All the books I read seemed to be alright, but none of them were great. They were interesting, but they didn't hold my interest. I didn't hate them, but I didn't love them either. I was starting to despair.

And then came Graceling, a book I've been thinking of reading for a while. I found it in my local bookstore to my great surprise, and with such a beautiful cover I couldn't resist getting it (and its sequel).

What I found when I opened this book is an amazing, incredible adventure like nothing I've read before. One that sucks you in so deeply that you cannot put it away, because it is as if your life hangs in the balance.

Tired of main characters who are just plain useless? who are pathetic and petty and exist only in their tiny little worlds? Whose biggest concern is which guy to chose - Sweet A or Bad Boy B? Well, you're in luck, because Katsa is nothing like that. 

Katsa is, in one word, phenomenal. It's important you understand this. She is strong. She is brave. She is goodhearted and kind. She tortures herself because of her abilities and powers. She is afraid of her own anger and keeps a tight leash on it. And she is very, very human. And, to me, very beautiful.

Quite frankly, Katsa is the kind of character that makes me proud to be a woman. 

Next to such an incredible woman has to be an equally incredible man. And Po is just that. It's been almost four years since I read this book (and I desperately want to re-read it), and the guy is still at the top of my top-ten-book-boyfriend list. 

He is kind. He is good. He is strong. He is brave. And... he's not without his share of dark secrets. Everything about Po drew me in - from the way he converses, to the way he stand, sits, walks, laughs... It was the first time (since Harry Potter) a book made me see a character so clearly in my head, like he was right there in front of me.

And the romance between these two... *dreamy sigh*. Let's just say it's befitting to two such incredible people. 

Next to Katsa and Po are a wide range of characters, all wonderful (even the villain is wonderfully atrocious and evil). I feel like every supporting character could easily have their own story--and I'm sure I would gobble it up.

The one I feel compelled to mention though is Bitterblue, a young princess at the age of ten. She was so adorable, and strong beyond her years. In a way, she was both like a child to Po and Katsa and a mother to them as well. 

This intense novel has, to me, a perfect ending. It's not a completely happy one, and it definitely leaves you with a taste for more. But at the same time, you know all you really need to know. And the choices which were made were 100% fitting and right for the characters, even if personally I would like something different for them.

And at the end of the day, all you can really ask from an author is to be true to the character he or she created. #IApprove

The Cover Wars: Hopeless by Colleen Hoover | US vs UK

In The Cover Wars, I'm going to pit covers of the same book against each other. Only one shall leave victorious. The winner takes it all! 

Ready, set.... fight! 

For me, the clear winner with no real contest is the UK cover. This seems to be an unpopular opinion, but hear me out:

I liked this book, but it took me years to read it because of that damned US cover. First of all, the girl scares me. she looks so very wrong. Something about where her neck is, and her hand looks detached from the rest of her. It makes me think that to lie in such a position in which the hand rests like that is one where the arm is broken. And the fade-out contributes to the general feeling of wrong-ness. It took me years to realize the girl is actually pretty because I was always so overcome by it.

The photoshop job here is quite awful in my opinion - which is a pet-peeve of mine when it comes to covers. If I notice the photoshop, then the cover is simply not good enough.

This cover doesn't appeal to me on an aesthetic or artistic level at all.

Now lets take a look at the UK version, shall we? Holly canolly it looks gorgeous! It's simple, mysterious and beautiful in an understated kind of way. The usage of space is great, despite there being a lot of dead space. But just by putting text on it, it's actually very well balanced. In fact, it looks like there is less dead space on it than the US version!

The cover doesn't need to be clattered to be meaningful. The black background is effective for two reasons:

             a. it gives off a dark edge to the story. Dark, heavy colors usually do that - as opposed to the light, soothing colors of the US version. The US cover is mellow and calming, but the UK one tells you "you're in for a hell of a ride" by simply using black.
           
             b. The contrast between the blackness and the glow of the snow globe tells me this is a story about the light amidst the darkness. As in, the good that can be found even in the darkest of times. And isn't that exactly what this book is about?

Now, I'll be honest - I'm pretty sure there is no snow-globe in Hopeless. But, here is what this tells me after reading the book. Inside a snow-globe there is a city. A sheltered city that only exists inside this bubble. And when you shake it, a storm beseeches the city.

Isn't that exactly Sky? Sheltered, living a life that's partly unreal, and Dean comes along and shakes her city and brings on a storm?

The snow globe is Sky. It represents her story.

For that reason, this cover gets an A+ from me. If I had seen this cover existed, I would've read this book a lot sooner. Heck, I would've bought this cover is a heartbeat if I didn't own the sequel, Losing Hope, in the US version (but at least it's signed *wink*)

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COVER BETWEEN THE TWO? 

Book Review: Seduce me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas

Seduce me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas

The Hathaways #2

First Published: 2008

Kindle Bundle

Adult, Historical Romance

Rating: 

He has tried hard to forget her.
Kev Merripen has longed for the beautiful, well-bred Winnifred Hathaway ever since her family rescued him from the brink of death when he was just a boy. But this handsome Gypsy is a man of mysterious origins—and he fears that the darkness of his past could crush delicate, luminous Win. So Kev refuses to submit to temptation…and before long Win is torn from him by a devastating twist of fate.
Can she remember the man he once was?
Then, Win returns to England…only to find that Kev has hardened into a man who will deny love at all costs. Meantime, an attractive, seductive suitor has set his sights on Win. It’s now or never for Kev to make his move. But first, he must confront a dangerous secret about his destiny—or risk losing the only woman he has lived for…

This book frustrated and delighted me in equal measures, earning it a 3.5 star rating from me. If it frustrated me a little less, it would've been a four star for sure.

Frustrated for the singular reason of Kev, who would not face his feelings. He would rather play with Win as he wants her one moment then regret it the next, would rather watch her marry another man, than consider the possibility of the two of them together because she is "too good for him".

Pshaw. Let the woman decide that for herself, you rattlebrain. I mean, I love you, you are deliciously brooding, but end this back and forth before I'm tempted to throw something at you. Stop stringing her along (and yourself) with kisses. Just as Win keeps telling him.

Which brings us to our first delight - Win herself. Win is a wholesome, fragile young girl who knows exactly what she wants, even if it won't be easy to get. And that's Kev. Wonderfully opinionated and determined, unafraid where Kev is frightened, she will bring him down with the force of her love alone and god help them all. So, basically, she was a great main character.

Another reason to be delighted? The continuation (and maybe conclusion) of Kev & Cam's search of their background, as well as additional insights into Cam's head.

Most of these type of series never return into the mind of past couples, opting instead to feature them in each other's story but look at it through different eyes. Kleypas veers from that path as she lets us peek into Cam's head often throughout this story as well. And as I love Cam... I consider this a great plus.

Speaking of their background... I loved it (and suspected it), but at the same time, I felt like they tied things a little too quickly at the end there. It would've been better if it carried on to the third book, or if parts of it have been revealed sooner so it didn't feel like everything just happened at once due to a stroke of luck.

In general, a great installment in the series, and it sets up yet another future couple that ought to be so fun to explore! 

Bonus: Harry Potter vs. The Mortal Instruments

Yesterday, I shared with you guys the revamped review of City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, where I mentioned feeling like it wasn't anything I haven't read before.

What I didn't tell you guys is that in the original review of the book, I included a table of comparison between my all time favorite Harry Potter and the book, because even back then - before I knew Clare used to be an active fanfic writer for HP - there were some similarities that were glaringly obvious, and skirted (to me) on the line between simple inspiration and... err, more. 

So today I'm sharing with you that table, this time graphically enhanced and easier on the eyes ;)

And those are just a few of the similarities between these two franchises. I don't really have to tell you which one I find better.

PS - how do you like the graphic? I worked really hard on cutting those faces you know xD

Book Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
The Mortal Instruments #1
First Published: 2007
Paperback
Young Adult, Fantasy
Rating:

When Clary 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 in odd markings. This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons--and keeping the odd werewolves and vampires in line. It's also her first meeting with gorgeous, golden haired Jace. 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 an ordinary mundane like Clary? And how did she suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know...

Okay, believe or not City of Bones was the first ever review I've published on a blog, so you've got to admit, it's long over-do for a makeover!

My initial reaction to City of Bones was "it's alright". Yes, not the most enthusiastic response, but not the worst one, either. As far as books go, I didn't have too much to complain about, but at the same time... It was nothing unheard of, and that says something considering that at the time, I have read a very limited amount of books. So I didn't have too much to compare to, and still it felt oh-so-familiar.

And it wasn't memorable, either. I had to force myself through a second reading of the book because, despite owning all the books in the first trilogy at that point, I just didn't read them. And when I finally decided enough was enough, I couldn't remember almost a single thing of all that had happened. It just didn't stick to me in any way, shape or form.

Our main character is Clary, and as far as main characters go - she's okay. I wasn't in love with her or anything, and she pissed me off many times (I mean, she would say mean things to people just so they'd be as miserable as she is..) but I didn't hate her. And yes, that seems like a pretty low standard to reach, but it's the best way I can put it.

Then there's Jace, the love interest. I was surprised to like this character, because I expected a huge douche, and he... wasn't. I mean, yes, he's a bad-boy ladies man, but he wasn't the kind that made me think Clary was an inconceivable idiot to like him (and I think that more often than you'd imagine in YA).

The supporting cast surrounding these characters was colorful, relatively interesting, and likable... most of the time. You may recognize the names Izzy, Alec, Simon and Luke among those. In fact, I liked Alec and his story arc so much that it was the only reason I considered giving the second trilogy a go (but I decided against that, at the end).

Now comes the romance. Clare did wisely by spreading the plot in such a way that makes it appear as if more time has passed than actually does, because otherwise, we might notice that this is pretty insta love. But we don't, so go Clare.

And, I'll be honest, I thought Clary and Jace were good together. 

But then came the twist at the end. To put it mildly, I hated it. It was just so unnecessary in my opinion (though well done)

SPOILER FOR THE FIRST THREE BOOKS Not to mention, it was painfully obvious this twist was a lie. I didn't need to read books two and three to know it was bogus, even though Clare did her best to build a misdirection with little "clues" designed to make us think they really were related. END SPOILER

The final thing that has made my reading experience kind of meh, and continued on with all the Cassandra Clare books I've read is the writing style. I don't like it. #ThereISaidIt.  

Musical Obsessions: Wolf's Rain Soundtrack

Hey guys! I'm taking a short break from the blog-related posts to do something a bit different. Lately, I finished the awesome (yet heartbreaking) 2003 anime Wolf's Rain. Aside for being a beautiful, thought-provoking anime, it has one of the best soundtracks I've ever heard - It's mostly in English, sang by Japanese, Canadian, Brazilian and american singers, which is by far the most diverse soundtrack I've ever heard.

And it sounds great. I simply can't stop listening to it, and I can't recommend it enough! 

Here are my five favorite songs from the anime, for your enjoyment. For those who rather just melodies, don't be afraid to check them out on YT - they're often haunting and  always gorgeous.

Opening Song - Stray / Steve Conte

Ending Theme - Gravity / Maaya Sakamoto

Heaven's Not Enough / Steve Conte

Strangers / Raj Ramayya

Run, Wolf Warrior, Run / Joyce

So... did you like the songs? Which one is your favorite? Does this possibly make you want to watch the anime? :)