Some late input on The Mortal Instruments

I have a bit of a secret to tell. Several years ago, on the recommendation of some friends, I picked up City of Bones, the first book in what was then The Mortal Instruments trilogy. To be frank, I hated it. But, the aforementioned friends convinced me that I should put my overwhelming feeling of queasy unease aside and finish reading the series.

It took me much longer than I had expected but after a couple of months I could finally say that I had given it a legit chance and move on with my life. I left the books behind me with a tepid opinion of them.

Then the buzz started because this much beloved series was not only getting a spin off series (prequel to be exact) but several more books were going to be added to the original three, and a movie had been optioned. I didn't get it.

As much as I thought the story was well written, because it is. Much more so than so many other hard to put down YA series, ahem Twilight. I just couldn't understand Jace's appeal and don't even get me started on the creep factor I felt stemming from the love triangle. So, I proceeded to forget about it. My friends got excited about the movie and I ignored it. And then this summer, suddenly finding myself with an incredible amount of free time on my hands I decided to revisit the series I just didn't get, despite an overwhelming stack of to-read books on my shelf and Nook.

My thoughts on the original three books have significantly improved. Do I still feel a bit off about the love triangle, of course, I don't know any one who is reading the series that wouldn't. But I learned to appreciate the nuances in the story, the layered characters, how incredibly developed and rich this world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders that Cassandra Clare created for her readers. I genuinely enjoyed reading it the second time around, and to my surprise found that I didn't remember large chunks of the book, so it was at some points like reading it for the first time.

I have since moved onto books 4 and 5, and I am finding much like the first three I am not in love with them the first time around. I honestly think that, maybe just maybe, the Mortal Instruments Series gets better with age, but I will wait to give a better review upon finishing the remainder of the books.

I can say now that the first movie is in production and I have found a new found love for Jace, Clary, Simon, Izzy, Alec and Magus I am counting down the days along with my friends.

This article was originally published on:  Examiner.com 

Book Coveting

My latest Examiner.com post: Book Coveting

All Dystopian Society's are not created equal

I have given myself some off time from my blogs to adjust to everything going on in my life...but it doesn't mean I stopped reading.  My spring started with the Hunger Games trilogy and ended with the first two books in the Matched trilogy.  It has been interesting, I have to say I probably would have enjoyed the stories more had I not read so many dystopian teen fics back to back but I couldn't resist.  I was on some sort of crazy binge.  I am finally taking a break from it all and have moved on to adult erotica...oh yeah!

Lauren Oliver, Delirium

 For the life of me I cannot get through this book.  I keep starting and stopping.  Most reviews that I read speak so highly of the story and the characters...but I stalled about 150 pages in.  I am not connecting with the characters, I feel like I can predict  the entire plot.  This is fairly normal for me but I still enjoy experiencing how the author chooses to unfold the story.  Not in this case.  I think I am going to give it a tentative rating for now in hopes that I will pick it up again and finish it. 

Veronica Roth, Divergent

I loved this story, and completely connected with Beatrice.  The decision she is forced to make and the repercussions of the choice that will determine the rest of your life was a theme that for me, was so easy to relate to.  I would recommend this book to YA fans of all ages.  I am anxiously awaiting the follow up Insurgent coming out in a couple of weeks.



Ally Condie, Matched

Ally Condie, Crossed

The first book in this trilogy, Matched, sucked me in from page one...how to describe a book that you couldn't put down but still had a sense of dissapointment when you were finished reading.  The first book was a quick read, a constant battle within your head of who you should be pulling for...by the second book you feel like maybe just maybe Cassia made the wrong decision. At least I did.  The ending of the second book left something to be desired and I felt like this book may have had a bit too much build up for what it actually was but overall they were both enjoyable reads.  Not the best dystopian YA fic out there but good enough and entertaining enough that I would recommend them.  I will pick up the third and final (?) book in the series when it is released later this year.

 

Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games Trilogy

Hmmm, what to say that hasn't already been written.  That I enjoyed these books would be an understatement. I fought tooth and nail not to read them, when my friends and family were ravenously devouring the books I said I was too busy and wasn't interested and ignored their plea's that I should read them.  All three books were consumed over a 2.5 day period, a form of insanity that I haven't engaged in since the Harry Potter or Twilight series.  I just couldn't stop.  Gale, Peeta, Katniss even Haymitch had me thoroughly hooked.  The horrors of the first book, entering the arena for the first time, Rue's tragic scene, that tenderness of the cave scene are moments that stand out for me.  The second books who wouldv'e seen it coming twist, the frenzy of the last 70 pages.  The final books complete about face, from a world you felt you were familiar with to a world you no longer recognized.  The horrors of their new reality. 

These books became a gateway drug for me the first dystopian YA books that I picked up.  After the reading frenzy that ensued I wanted nothing more than to continue exploring this dark kind of messed up world that Ms. Collins introduced me to.  But, there was no more.  So I moved on to other stories, other worlds.  And to be honest nothing has lived up to the standards set by The Hunger Games.  

A whimsical journey into Oddfellow's Orphanage

This book was provided for review by NetGalley and the publisher.

I was eager to pick up the book having been a fan of Ms. Martin's illustrations. I was completely enchanted by the sweet story and all the wonderful adventures the orphan's undertake. I couldn't help thinking how much I would love to read this story aloud to my future children. The illustrations (even in their incomplete state) where as whimsical as one would expect from the creator of The Black Apple. I look forward to re-reading the completed book and soaking in the beautiful illustrations.

I absolutely loved this and devoured it in less than an hour. I would highly recommend this story to anyone who loves a fun imaginative read that transports you to a simpler world.                           
For more information on the author/illustrator you can find her at her website: Inside A Black Apple

Tris & Izzie - Not so German and not so realistic

I hate giving negative reviews to books because I am an eternal optimist that there is always something you can fall in love with in a story. This is the second time in as many months that I have started a book and been unable to finish. I think the disappointment with this one was worse than the first time around because I was so excited about reading a re-telling of Tristan and Isolde.

I felt cheated the more I read, I don't want to rant and rave about all the things I didn't like in this story but I will say this, I do not think this book is written for teenagers. I think the writing style and unbelievable story (even in a story containing witches) is more suited to pre-teens.

My biggest issue with the story aside from the fact that it isn't a re-imaging of the much loved German tale at all is the writing itself. The word magic must have been repeated over 50 times in the first chapter. I think the author could have done a bit more research to help her refine her writing prior to publishing.

This book was provided via NetGalley. I would like to thank the publisher for allowing me to read and review the story. I wish that I could have better things to say.

Books in the Pipeline

With school starting up for me sooner than I want to acknowledge I am making a mad dash to finish off the books I have waiting to be read and reviewed.  And can I just say there is quite a few.  A rather daunting task I am about to undertake.  But here goes nothing, wish me luck!

 The Raié Chaelia by Melissa Douthit

Oddfellow's Orphanage by Emily Winfield Martin

 Blood by K.J. Wignall

Changeless by Gail Carriger

The Iron Knight by Julia Kagawa

 Legacy by Cayla Kluver

 Tris & Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison

 My Girlfriend's Boyfriend by Elodia Strain

To Touch a Sheikh by Olivia Gates

 The Last Dragon by Jane Yolen

Montana Sheriff by Marie Ferrarella

Fixing Cupid by Cristian Young Miller

My summer of reading

I hunkered down this summer with my Nook and NookColor (yes, I am one lucky little duck) and read my heart out.  Of course my genre of choice was YA fiction, I can't help that at heart I am really a 15 year old girl.  All in all I read about 12 1/2 books (I'll explain in a moment).  Not too shabby considering that I really didn't focus too much on reading until July.

Sense & Sensibility

       

I was extremely disappointed with Marvels comic version of Pride and Prejudice, I felt that while the story was adequately interpreted the illustrator missed the WHOLE point.  There was massive cleavage, noticeable make-up, and just a completely wrong look for my favorite of Ms. Austen's works.  So, as can be expected I was hesitant to pick up Sense & Sensibility.  But anyone who knows me at all knows that when it comes to Jane Austen I have to have it (sometimes to my own detriment).  When I finally picked it up to read I devoured it.  I was so relieved that this time around they got it right!  The story was true to the original and the characters were all a regency lover like myself could have wanted.  This is one literature to comic re-imagining that I highly recommend.

The Goddess Test

This book ties for first place in my favorite reads of the summer.  I am a big fan of Mythology.  Last year I read a great re-envisioning of the Greek myths and was convinced that that series was as good as it was going to get. Then came The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter.  From the first page I was glued to the book.  This gem is one of the few books that I actually purchased in traditional printed page format and was so wrapped up in the story that I lugged it around with me all weekend until I finished.  There is something so compelling about stories that have the potential of ending tragically and this one has such a clever twist at the end that you can't believe you didn't catch on sooner. 

The Best Intentions

An Affair of Honor

A Proper Companion

A Change of Heart

 I, as previously mentioned, am a huge fan of Regency Era stories.  Romances are particularly enticing to me.  As a matter of fact one of the main reasons I wanted to get a Nook was so I could read my "lady porn" as I lovingly refer to Romance novels without censure or judgement.  When I found these "classic" regency romances by Candice Hern and the rave reviews that they had received I knew I was in for a treat.  I honestly couldn't believe that I had never stumbled upon her work before.  She is the epitome of the kind of writer that I like: Revisits old characters, links her stories, big on the romance, light on the sex.  It was no wonder I read all three in three days.

Something Borrowed

 
Love Off-Limits

Confession:  This romantic comedy series is my guiltiest pleasure in a long list of guilty pleasure.  I commonly refer to them as my bubble gum break.  So guilty in fact that I refuse to share them.  I can't help loving these oh-so-innocent forays into first love.   In all honesty they can get a bit trying when the characters (mostly teenagers or college students) engage in antics that I myself realized at that age were probably not the best ideas.  But their sweet charm is enough to keep me coming back for more.  If I had to venture a guess I would say I have read about 12 from the series.  Yes, it's shameful but it feels sooooo good.

Soulless: The Parasol Protectorate

 This is my other favorite book of the summer.  I honestly couldn't put it down.  It seemed to gather everything I adore about the escapist literature that I so often turn to into one book. Vampires, Werewolves, Sci-Fi, Victorian England, Romance, quick wit, all with a steampunk twist.  And that was only book one.  I immediately started on book two and am already on page 75.  Did I mention I finished this on Sunday?

Fools Rush In

 I hate it when I can't connect with a character.  I'm an event planner by trade so reading the synopsis of this book it seemed like a no-brainer.  But, I couldn't get through the book.  I felt that within the first couple of chapters I was slapped in the face by a Bible.  There is nothing wrong with being religious but there is such a thing as over saturating the reader with religious context when the book synopsis doesn't come close to mentioning it.  This is what appears on Goodreads: 

Ever wonder how Italian sounds with a Southern drawl?Bella Rossi's life is just starting to get interesting. When her Italian-turned-Texan parents hand over the family wedding-planning business, Bella quickly books a Boot-Scootin' wedding that would make any Texan proud. There's only one catch--she doesn't know a thing about country music. Where will she find a deejay on such short notice who knows his Alan Jackson from his George Strait? And will Bella ever get to plan her own wedding?
Fun, fresh, and full of surprises, this flavorful combination of Italian and Tex-Mex highlights the hilarity that ensues when cultures clash.

For obvious reasons I was taken a back by the complete change in programming, I hate not finishing a book, but there it is.

Cinder & Ella

This book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

The cover art instantly captured me and I was really excited about tucking into this obvious retelling of the classic story of Cinderella.  What can I say about it except that aside from the title and one or two references the book is nothing like the original.  I tried to love it.  I really did.  I wanted to connect with Cinder and Ella but the story honestly felt disjointed to me.  The author seemed to try to tell a story that was so different from the original that she lost her way.  It did start out promising and when I thought "okay, it's going to pick up now," it never did.  It took me the longest to get through this one of all the books I read this summer and was left feeling like the story could have been so much more.

Princess of Glass

The second of three physical books purchased this summer.  I couldn't help myself while killing some time at B&N.  I had just finished reading Cinder & Ella and wanted something to wash the taste out of my mouth.  Having not read the authors first book in the series (I honestly had no idea it was series until I stumbled onto the information on Goodreads) I felt a teensy bit lost in the first couple of chapters but as the story progressed and the history of the main character was explained I was completely enraptured.  What a great homage to Cinderella.  As opposed to the previous book which I felt screamed it was a re-telling and then dissapointed all around this one just told you it was a fairytale and paid tribute to Cinderella in its own way.

Spellbound

This book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

I previously wrote a full review for this great debut a few weeks ago.  I liked it so much I bought one for my 13 year old cousins birthday (she's also a rabid reader).  She devoured it in one day.

Pocket Posh Jane Austen

This is my 1/2 a book, because technically it's not a book in the traditional sense of the word, it's a puzzle compendium (I think that's the word) that uses all of Jane Austens books as well as incorporating different facts from the time period to make one very interesting time filler.  For Austen fans this is really a must have.