Waiting on Wednesday (54)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that showcases upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!





This week I'm celebrating May 8th releases! There's so many good books due to come out on this day... and it's less than 4 weeks away!

Struck by Jennifer Bosworth
Publication Date: May 8, 2012

Synopsis:
Mia Price is a lightning addict. She’s survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.

Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come.

Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn’t who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything.

From Goodreads

Why I want it: 2012 Debut Author. Lightning addict main character. Other than that, I feel like the synopsis has a lot of words, but doesn't explain much. It still has me intrigued.

Until I Die (Revenants #2) by Amy Plum
Publication Date: May 8, 2012

**WARNING: SPOILERS**

Synopsis:
Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake — and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

From Goodreads

Why I want it: Sequel to a book that I loved! I'm excited to continue Kate and Vincent's love story. And see more of Jules, of course ;).

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5) by Cassandra Clare
Publication Date: May 8, 2012

**WARNING: SPOILERS**

Synopsis:
The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.

No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?

Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell — a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.

And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?

Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

From Goodreads

Why I want it: I don't even need to read that HUGE synopsis to want to read it. Book 5 in The Mortal Instruments series. That's all there is to it.

First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky
Publication Date: May 8, 2012

Synopsis:
Like his name, Gray is dark and stormy. Dylan, a girl always searching for what's next, seemingly unable to settle down, is the exact opposite: full of light and life. On the outside, they seem like an unlikely couple. But looks can be deceiving and besides, opposites attract.

What starts as friendship, turns into admiration, respect and caring, until finally these two lone souls find they are truly in love with each other.

But staying in love is not as easy as falling in love. If Dylan and Gray want their love to last, they're going to have to work at it. And learn that sometimes love means having to say you're sorry.

From Goodreads

Why I want it: LOVED Katie's debut novel, Awaken, and I'm interested to see her take on contemporary romance. Also because I like how this book focuses on after the "honeymoon" phase of love.


What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?

Review: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Fallen Angels
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publish date: April 5, 2011
Genre: YA, fantasy
Pages: 424
Series: The Mortal Instruments #4
1. City of Bones (review)
2. City of Ashes (review)
3. City of Glass (review)
4. City of Fallen Angels
5. City of Lost Souls (May 8, 2012)
6. City of Heavenly Fire (pub Sept 2014)

**WARNING: SPOILERS**

Synopsis:
The Mortal War is over, and 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 important of all—Clary can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle, 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 he’s a vampire and now he’s homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side—along with the power of the curse wrecking his life. And they’re willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time he’s dating two beautiful, dangerous girls—neither of whom knows about the other.

When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she 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.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

From Goodreads

City of Fallen Angels definitely starts a new chapter in The Mortal Instruments series. Jace and Clary are together, Jocelyn and Luke are getting married, Valentine and Sebastian are dead and gone, and life seems to be getting back to normal. Whatever normal is for Shadowhunters, Vampires, Werewolves, and Warlocks.

The thing I really like about this book was how it focused a lot on Simon. Up until this book, I felt like he wasn’t too developed as a character, but half of this book is about Simon and his story, while the other half is mostly Jace and Clary. Simon has a whole slew of crap to deal with because he’s the only Daylighter and now with the Mark of Cain. I really grew to love him, and not in a “Team Simon” way, but as an individual character separate from Clary.

Clary and Jace’s relationship should be sailing smoothly now that they’re officially not siblings and are free to be together (despite Clary’s mother being slightly anti-Jace). But Jace has a few of his own problems to deal with; namely, nightmares about hurting Clary and fears of becoming more like Valentine. He is very sulky and brooding in this book, almost to the point of being annoying. I feel like I should have been annoyed with him, but let’s be honest: it’s Jace. I love him too much to be annoyed.

The plot was a little slow for me. I found myself wondering throughout most of the book what the conflict was going to be. It didn’t seem like we were building up to anything. But within the last 100 pages or so, there was a big climax that put characters in danger and made the ending exciting. Although the rest of the book clearly has elements that pertain to the ending, it wasn’t enough that I could put them together as a reader or even guess what might happen. It seemed a little disjunct to me.

Regardless of the pacing of the plot, the story was great! I also loved the new characters we met, as well as how some other characters aside from Clary and Jace were developed a bit more, especially Simon. The book ended on a cliff-hanger, and the next book seems like it’ll be pretty dark. I’m excited.

Teaser Tuesday (42)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

DO NOT INCLUDE SPOILERS (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away, so that you don't ruin the book for others)

Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR list is they like your teasers!

I'm finally reading City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare! I figure, with the next book coming out soon, it's about time I read it. Here's my teaser:

Even during his waking hours, he found it hard to look at Clary. She had always been able to see through him the way no one else had, and he could only imagine what she would think if she knew what he dreamed.

I'm still in the beginning of this book. I feel like it's going to be a lot different from the first three books, but I don't know how yet. Guess I'll just have to read and see!

Feel free to share your teasers with me! I'd love to see what you're reading.

Review: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Glass
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publish Date: March 24, 2009
Genre: YA, fantasy
Pages: 541
Series: The Mortal Instruments
1. City of Bones (review)
2. City of Ashes (review)
3. City of Glass
4. City of Fallen Angels (April 5, 2011)
5. City of Lost Souls (expected pub May 2012)
6. City of Heavenly Fire (expected pub Sept 2013)

***WARNING: Spoilers if you haven’t read Books 1 & 2 of The Mortal Instruments!***

Synopsis:
To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters -- never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her new found powers to help save the Glass City -- whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Times bestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments.

From Goodreads

I am fully confident in saying that City of Glass is my favourite book of The Mortal Instruments series, so far. I feel like that probably had to do with the fact that it was a new setting, and also that there were a few new characters, both good and bad. It was a big adventure for all the characters, lots of questions were answered, and it was all very emotional.

If you’ve read my reviews before, you know that I love to get emotionally invested in the characters. Technically, I’ve been emotionally invested since the first book, but that’s not the point. I felt like this book was a bigger emotional roller coaster than the last couple. Yes, in CoB Clary and Jace were all lovey dovey, then in CoA they were all “Oh em gee, you’re my sibling.” But in CoG, it wasn’t just Clary and Jace’s feelings. I can’t remember anyone else’s feelings from the other books (except some flirtiness around Isabelle/Simon, Maia/Simon, and Alec/Magnus). This third book really shows us more than the one relationship. It shows more of Alec and Magnus, of Isabelle, Luke, Simon, and more. I’ve never had a problem with book focusing on one relationship (most are this way), but I feel like after two books centred on the Clary/Jace relationship, it was refreshing and exciting to see more of the other characters.

I’m always amazed at how much Cassie Clare packs into one book. I guess that’s why they’re all around 500 pages. There’s just SO MUCH that happens! I don’t want to give spoilers, but I do want to say that you need to be prepared for lots of ups and downs, lots of questions answered, and a very good ending. I loved the ending.

Sorry this is such a weird review, but I don’t know how to put anything into words apparently! I finished the book a week ago, and haven’t figured out how to write the review yet, so this will have to do. All I have to say is if you’ve been putting off continuing this series, at least finish up this book. It is a great way to finish off the first half of the series.

Teaser Tuesday (19)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

DO NOT INCLUDE SPOILERS (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away, so that you don't ruin the book for others)

Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR list is they like your teasers!

I didn’t have a chance to give you a teaser from what I was reading last week, so here’s a teaser from City of Glass by Cassandra Clare. I tried to avoid spoilers from any of The Mortal Instruments books, so that everyone can read my teaser! Here it is:

“Simon, move!” It was Jace shouting; Simon looked and saw the other boy running toward him out of the fog, bloody seraph blades in his hands. Then he looked up.





Hehehe I gave you a cliff-hanger this week! I’m barely finding any time to read, and when I do, I’m partially falling asleep. Still, I’m really enjoying City of Glass. I like that it’s a different setting than the last two books, so hopefully it will be a fun adventure for everyone (both me and the characters)!

Feel free to share your teasers in the comments! I’d love to see what you’re reading.

Review: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Ashes
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publish Date: January 1, 2008
Genre: YA, fantasy
Pages: 453
Series: The Mortal Instruments
1. City of Bones (review)
2. City of Ashes
3. City of Glass (March 24, 2009)
4. City of Fallen Angels (April 5, 2011)
5. City of Lost Souls (expected pub May 2012)
6. City of Heavenly Fire (expected pub Sept 2013)

Synopsis:
A murderer is loose in New York City ...

... and the victims are Downworlder children. Clary Fray and her fellow Shadowhunters have a strong suspicion that Valentine, Clary's father, may be behind the killings. But if he is the murderer, then what's his true motive? To make matters worse, the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, has been stolen, and the mysterious Inquisitor has arrived to investigate, with his eyes vigilantly targeted on Clary's brother, Jace.

Clary will need to face some terrifying demons and even more terrifying family decisions. No one said that the life of a Shadowhunter would be easy.

From Goodreads

***WARNING: Spoilers if you haven’t read Book 1: City of Bones***

CITY OF ASHES takes continues with the confusion that we were left in at the end of City of Bones. Clary and Luke are trying to deal with Jocelyn being in the hospital in a coma, Jace and the Lightwood children are having problems with the Lightwood adults returning to the Institute, and Simon has his own personal demons to battle.

This continuation of The Mortal Instruments series was just as good as the first. I thought the beginning was better than the first because we just jumped right in rather than having to take so much time to explain about the world of the Shadowhunters and Downworlders. It was also really great to see all the same characters we grew to love come back for this book. It was also great to see some new characters, so nothing became too monotonous.

The emotions in this book are so raw and so easy to feel through the pages, that it is clear Cassandra Clare has a way with words. I don’t want to give spoilers to those of you who haven’t read it, but the chapter in the Seelie Court is a really great example of the raw emotions. It’s my favourite scene from this book, and I wouldn’t be surprised if others felt the same way about it.

There are a lot of new challenges and hurdles that the characters have to face in CITY OF ASHES. And even though they have to deal with these tough things, they still seem like teenagers, and not adults. Clare really wrote the characters well.

If you haven’t picked up The Mortal Instruments yet, or you’ve started but haven’t continued, pick them up. I went about 7 months between City of Bones and City of Ashes and now I don’t know why. It’s really great getting back to Cassandra Clare’s world and seeing what kind of adventure she’s going to take us on next. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this series.

Teaser Tuesday (16)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

DO NOT INCLUDE SPOILERS (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away, so that you don't ruin the book for others)

Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR list is they like your teasers!

I know I just finished City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare on Sunday night, but it was really good and I still want to share a teaser with you all. Even though you’ve probably all read it and I’m the only one drastically behind *sigh*. Here’s my teaser:

Alec turned away, shaking his head and muttering something about girls. Isabelle held out a hand to Clary. “Give me your stele,” she said. “It’s time you got some Marks.”





I’m hoping that’s not too spoilery for anyone that hasn’t read any of The Mortal Instruments books. These are really good books and I’m excited to keep going in the series until I catch up and get to read City of Fallen Angels, which just came out. I’m going to be picking up a different book before continuing onto City of Glass, because I’d like to give myself a chance to digest City of Ashes and write the review before I get all confuzzled with City of Glass in my brain, too.

Feel free to share your teasers in the comments. I’d love to see what you’re reading!

On My Wishlist (7)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where you list all the books you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here.

On my Wishlist this week:
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Publication Date: August 31, 2010

Synopsis:
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.

From Goodreads

I really like Cassie's writing, but I haven't taken the time to enjoy it! I've read City of Bones and since City of Fallen Angels is coming out very soon, I've been wanting to finish the series! However, I lent my copy of City of Ashes to my friend who I won't see until the end of April, so I'll have to wait a bit longer. The point is that I am a big fan of Cassie and want to read all that she writes. That's all. :)

What's on your wishlist this week?

Waiting on Wednesday (14)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that showcases upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!
I first heard about it from PageTurnersBlog.




My Waiting on Wednesday this week:
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Publication Date: April 5, 2011

Synopsis:
City of Fallen Angels is the fourth book in the bestselling series The Mortal Instruments.

City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever. Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

From Goodreads

I’ve only read the first book, City of Bones (review), from this series and I really enjoyed it and like reading about the world that Cassandra Clare has created. I have City of Ashes on my TBR shelf and am planning to read it ASAP. My sister just bought me City of Glass for my birthday yesterday, so now I have that to read, too. The slight problem is that I lent City of Ashes to my roommate to read and won’t get it back until April, so I have to wait until then to continue with the story! As much as this is a bummer, I’m really happy that I got my roommate to read this series and that she loves it! It’s one of the reasons I love book blogging so much: spreading my love of good books and introducing people to new books that they’ll love.

Unless you live under a rock or something, you’ve probably heard of The Mortal Instruments series and Cassandra Clare. She’s a great writer and has created an awesome world with the Shadowhunters. I’m “waiting on Wednesday” for City of Fallen Angels because I know this series is going to continue to only great things and can’t wait to delve back into Clary’s world and see where it all goes.

What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?

Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Bones
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publish Date: July 2, 2007
Pages: 485

Synopsis:
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.... 

From Goodreads

I definitely enjoyed this book. I admit it took me a little while to get into it. The beginning is slightly drawn out with random events happening, making you think "What on Earth is going on?" Of course, we eventually get to the part where there is a character who has all the answers and starts explaining things for our main character. But because Cassandra Clare has created such a wonderfully amazing and creative world, it does take a little while to explain which makes it feel drawn out once again.

Once everything's been explained, we jump into this new world with both feet. It seems like you're reading at the speed of light because so much is going on, but then you realize there's still so much to get through and you think "How is that still possible?", but then you're happy because you have more time to spend in this world than you thought.

As the pace continues as quickly as it has been, eventually the end comes to a near and then Cassandra does something unexpected to me: shakes everything up in ways you can't imagine until you read it. I can't believe what she did and being a romantic, she kind of lost some brownie points from me. Then she also left it off in a big cliff hanger.

In the end, this book has a wonderful story and Clare creates an amazing world that you are sad you can't be part of. I'm really excited to read City of Ashes and see what she will possibly do to wrap up what she left hanging before jumping into the next big adventure.


(This review was originally posted at my livejournal on September 10, 2010)