Clockwork Prince

Summary: In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.
With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Review:

I suppose the first thing I should mention about this book is that I finished it in a day and a half. It was that good. I couldn’t put it down, and this is someone who really hasn’t read actively since the summer. The whole reason I picked it up is because my computer has a virus and is being cleaned up (yay library computers!) and being on break I had nothing better to do. A friend had begged me to read it so we could discuss it and because I love the first part of this trilogy so much I was eager to begin.

Cassandra Clare’s stories may not be deep or thought-provoking but dang does she know how to execute a plot with very human characters that you can’t help but love and a world that you can’t tear yourself away from. And for that you must give her credit because its what makes her stories so popular. Clare brings you right in with the convening of the Consul an event that basically gives Charlotte and Henry two weeks to find Mortmain or the institute goes to Benedict. That’s the premise of the story: find Mortmain. This, of course, leads them down various paths that brings us closer with Sophie, Jessamine, Charlotte, Jem, Tessa, and Will. I will not reveal much more about the plot because you need to read it, just be assured that if you ever find yourself getting bored another plot twist will come up that drags you right back in.

Now let’s get to what everybody cares about yeah? Does Tessa end up with Will or Jem? Well, I will tell you this…by the end of the book she is committed to one of them (read if you want to find out which!). I ended Clockwork Angel by leaning towards Jem’s side. He was unbelievably sweet and kind and he seemed to genuinely care about Tessa. It only took me about a quarter way through Clockwork Prince to become an adamant supporter of Will as you learn more and more about his character. The romance scenes between Will and Tessa and the ones between Jem and Tessa are delicious and done tastefully without giving you the idea that Tessa is some skank who is just giving her kisses away.

Overall Clockwork Prince is a fast-paced addition to this series with satisfactory plot and character development. An amazing second book and I believe it definitely secures the Infernal Devices above the Mortal Instruments for me. If you were a fan of the first one, you won’t be able to put this down!

Rating: 5/5

Reviews from the Pros:

"It's got everything; set in Victorian London but with a usefully American heroine - feisty and attractive, natch; it features the Nephilim, a category of quasi-angelic beings and some interesting vampires... a cracking read".-Evening Standard

I promise I'm going to attempt to get some more reviews up! Sorry I lost interest :[. I hope to have an Ophelia review up soon and possible Mockingjay if I finish that soon enough.

Happy Reading!

-She Who Reads A Lot

The Maze Runner

Summary: When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is empty. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s door’s open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as anyone can remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, for just as long, they’ve closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the Maze after dark.

The Gladers were expecting Thomas’s arrival. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl ever to arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the mazy that surrounds the Glade, they might find their way home...wherever that may be. But It’s looking more and more as if the Maze is unsolvable.

And something about the girl’s arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he might have some answers—if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets within his own mind.

Review: Wow. This book kind of blew my mind. The plot in this book was brilliantly paced. Once the plot really got going I could not read this book fast enough. I skipped over words and often found myself reading ahead. That is why is makes it even more powerful when I say I knew what was going to happen and was still shocked, mortified, excited, happy, and heartbroken by the end of the book. For the last 200 pages or so I sat on the edge of my seat with a small knot of tension growing in my stomach as events unfolded in front of me. Dashner makes unrealistic things seem very possible. This book begs to be made into a movie. A very creepy movie, but a great one nonetheless.

Thomas was a likable character, though sometimes I found him annoying, which made him all the more real. I grew attached to several characters in this book mainly Newt, Minho, and Chuck. I liked watching Thomas evolve as a character. By the end of the book, you wouldn’t think that the Thomas in the end is the same Thomas you met in the beginning. He develops into a smart, caring, curious, and charismatic leader quite naturally. The bond between him and Teresa seems very natural, not at all weird or forced.

Now for criticism. The book was slow getting off to a start. The plot was brilliant! The description and wording never really stuck in my mind. I wanted to read as fast as I could to see what happened, which is not a bad thing. However, I didn’t really want to digest and absorb every word.

Overall, it was a great book. You should all read it!

Rating: 4.7/5.0

Reviews from the pros:

“Dashner knows how to spin a tale and make the unbelievable realistic. Hard to put down, this is clearly just a first installment, and it will leave readers dying to find out what happens next.”-Kirkus Reviews

“A fast-paced narrative...Dashner’s suspenseful adventure will keep readers guesting until the very end.”-Publishers’ Weekly

“The tantalizing hints of a ravaged world outside make for a gripping reading.”-Booklist

Happy Reading Everyone!

-She Who Reads A Lot

Sphinx's Princess

Summary: Although Nefertiti is the dutiful daughter of a commoner; her inquisitive mind often gets her into situations that are far from ordinary, like receiving secret lessons from a scribe. And her striking beauty garners attention that she’d just as soon avoid, especially when it’s her aunt, the manipulative Queen Tiye, who has set her sights on Nefertiti. The queen wants to use her niece as a pawn in her quest for power, and Nefertiti must leave her beloved family and enter a life filler with courtly intrigue and danger. But her spirit and mind will not rest as she continues to challenge herself and the boundaries of ancient Egyptian society. With control of a kingdom at stake and threats at every turn, Nefertiti is forced to make choices and stand up for her beliefs in ways she never imagined.

Review: As with Nobody’s Princess Esther Friesner is able to take a iconic and somewhat mystical historic female and weaves another fascinating and enthralling tale with a mixture of myth and fact. I am a history major and to be honest, I’d never given much thought to Ancient Egypt and Friesner makes me want to learn more about the culture. She actually makes me realize how little I do know about it. She paints an Egypt that is beautiful and rich in culture and myths. It is a world I would love to have lived in. Between the charismatic Pharaoh, a manipulative queen, corrupt priests, and cities filled with art and temples dedicated to an array of gods.

Nefertiti is a strong-willed, intelligent, and beautiful woman and yet she is completely relatable. She tells her little sister that looks don’t matter in husband, yet, like any girl her age, her heart skips a beat when she sets eyes on the handsome crown Prince Thutmose. Despite the fact that he is manipulative and cares for nobody but his cat, even later she still feels attracted. When she meets Amenophis she is struck by how awkward and gangly he is despite the fact that his personality doesn’t match his looks. She may have been the most beautiful Queen in Egypt in her time, but Friesner’s take on the young Nefertiti is one every girl can relate and look up to.

Overall, I LOVED it! I loved Amenophis, Sitamun, and Nefertiti and the bond between Nava and Nefertiti gave me that warm and fuzzy feeling.

It was a great book and I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel! I highly recommend it for anyone who likes historical fiction.

Rating: 5/5

Reviews from the pros:

“Friesner imagines the early life of Nefertiti, crafting a complex teen character who is in turns intelligent and brave, and has little concern for the prospect of marriage or trading on her remarkable beauty…dramatic plot twists, a powerful female subject, and engrossing details of life in ancient Egypt make for lively historical fiction.”-Booklist

“[A] satisfying foray into a time and place not often written about.”-Kirkus reviews

“Readers will identify strongly with the intractable and wildly optimistic protagonist, and they will anxiously anticipate the promised sequel to see what lies in store for her.”-The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“An exciting story, with an engaging young heroine. It will leave readers anxious to learn more of the historical Nefertiti.”-BookLoons.com

“Friesner creates an ancient Egypt that is lush and exotic, filled with beauty and sophistication, but which also harbors dangerous intrigues. I found this a suspenseful, well-paced and credible coming-of-age story about the young woman who will be forever immortalized in history as Nefertiti, ‘The Beautiful Woman Has Come.’”-Historical Novels Review
Happy Reading everyone!

-She Who Reads A Lot


P.S. Told you I would get it up by the end of February! =^.^=

P.S.S. Just one last thing to say…I LOVED this cover. Isn’t it so amazingly awesome?

Ohayocon and an explanation!

Hey Everyone,

So, I haven’t blogged since I finished Beastly and I want to apologize for that: so, sorry! I have been very busy with the start of classes. I have decided to take on an extra class this semester, while still holding up a job and all four clubs I am a part of. Generally at the end of the day I literally just fall into bed, exhausted, and fall straight to sleep without glancing at my books. Also, I went to Ohayocon this weekend with my school's anime club! It is the anime convention in Columbus, Ohio I had a great time and it was such a great birthday weekend! That’s right! I am officially nineteen as of January 28, 2011. It was my first con and it was most definitely a memorable experience. Some of my favorite pictures from Ohayocon are posted below.


I got so freaking excited when I saw Captain Jack Sparrow! :D Isn't his costume amazing?


Look! It's Totoro. This guy was pretty amazing as well. :)


Anyone who has seen Tangled must realize why me and my friends practically jumped these people to get their picture. ^.^


I applaud this person for walking around in this all weekend, it could not have been much fun. It had to be hot in there! Props for the awesome costume and for being an awesome pokemon!


The jester from Hunchback of Notre Dame another character that I practically mauled asking for his photo. He was very nice about it! :)


Haha anyone who grew up in the 90's has to remember the powerpuff girls! I thought this was really creative and was so excited to get his picture.

Anyway those are some of my favorite pictures, but I took a ton more! If you want I will share more with you all.

Back on subject, as you can imagine these past few weeks have been hectic and I have had little to no free time on my hands to read, let alone blog. I hope to be changing that very soon. I am just about 2/3 through Sphinx’s Princess by Esther Friesner (which is great by the way! I am not disappointed at all). I will have that review up by the end of February the latest. Things should be settling down on this front (I hope!) as I get used to the work load and get my schedule all figured out. Right now I am just trying to balance everything. Anyway, I hope to be blogging, and reviewing, soon!

Happy reading to you all! See you (figuratively speaking, of course) soon!

-She who Reads A lot

Beastly

A beast. Not quite wolf or gorilla or dog, but a horrible new creature with fangs, claws, and hair springing from every pore. I am a walking monster. You think I’m talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. And I’ll stay this way forever—unless I can break the spell. Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I’ll tell you how I became perfectly…beastly.

Review: So, as suggested by the title and summary, Beastly is a modern day tale of Beauty and the Beast. If you have ever seen Disney’s Beauty and the Beast then you know the plot of this book with some subtle differences. We start off with Kyle Kingsbury a self-centered, good-looking son of a famous newscaster who has had it pounded in his head from day one that looks get you everywhere in this world. He is the kind of guy you really love to hate. He is a jerk and loves to rag on anyone who is remotely ugly or unpopular, he revels in torturing them. This is what lands him in this whole situation in the first place. He decides he is going to torture a funny looking girl in his English class, Kendra.

He tells her he will take her to the dance, but in reality is planning on going with the hottest girl in school and completely humiliating Kendra publicly, just because she tells Kyle he is basically not nice. Well, long story short Kendra wants to teach him a lesson and casts a spell on him. He transforms into a hideous beast and he has two years to find someone who loves him despite his appearances, or he remains a beast forever. After his father realizes the condition isn’t reversible he banishes Kyle to a secluded house in Brooklyn with only a blind tutor and maid.

Will is basically Lumiere and Cogsworth combined and Magda is obviously Mrs. Potts. One main difference in Beastly and Beauty and the Beast is that Kyle learns rather quickly to appreciate the beautiful things in life, like roses and he learns how to be kind and sincere as he suffers. Our Belle’s name is actually Linda and instead of being beautiful she is fairly average looking with a heart of gold and instead of a well-meaning inventor, he is a drug-addict who could care less for his daughter. In fact, he offers Kyle his daughter in exchange that he does not turn him into the police after being caught breaking in.

This book is fun, sweet, romantic, fast-paced, and funny. I caught myself laughing out loud more than a few times. The book moves very quickly and I devoured it in less than four days. You will fall in love with Kyle/Adrian and feel for his plight as you are rooting for him to get the girl.

It isn’t anything terribly engaging on the intellectual end, but it is pure fun brain candy.

Rating: 4/5 I highly recommend it if you are looking for a fast, fun, romantic read.

Reviews from the pros:

“A delicious love story…romantics everywhere will adore this book.”-Annette Curtis Klause, author of Blood and Chocolate
“Teens will…race to see if the beast gets his kiss, lifts the curse, and lives happily ever after.”-Kirkus Reviews

“An engrossing tale.”-VOYA