The Deepest Night: review

Title: The Deepest Night (The Sweetest Dark #2)
Author: Shana Abé
Rating: 4 stars
Summary: It’s 1915, and sixteen-year-old Lora Jones is finishing up her first year as a charity student at Iverson, a prestigious, gothic boarding school on England’s southern coast. While she’s always felt different from everyone around her, now she finally knows why: She is a drákon, a rare, enchanted being with astonishing magical abilities.



  As war hits Britain’s shores, and Lora reels from an unimaginable loss, she finds that her powers come with grave and dangerous responsibilities. At the request of Armand Louis, the darkly mysterious boy whose father owns Iverson, Lora will spend her summer at his lavish estate. To help the war effort—and to keep Lora by his side—Armand turns his home into a military hospital, where Lora will serve as a nurse. For Armand is inescapably drawn to her—bound to her by heart-deep secrets and a supernatural connection that runs thicker than blood.



  Yet while Lora tries to sort out her own feelings toward Armand, fate offers an unexpected surprise. Lora discovers there is another drákon, a prisoner of war being held in Germany. And that only she, with her newly honed Gifts, will be able to rescue him.



  With Armand, Lora will cross enemy lines on an incredible mission—one that could bond her to Armand forever, or irrevocably tear them apart.

 My review:

   This is the third good-second-book in a row this week. I'm happy. Authors, you keep these coming now, okay? *knocks on wood*

   For the most part, I have no particular strong feelings to point out in here. These are my escape novels, and I don't have to think more than "well, I wish I could Turn to a dragon like that." So that's a nice break, of course. My one complaint of course, was upon reding the first page and remembering my favorite character had died in the first book....still a bit mad that. But this romance sort of thing is okay, and I'm less annoyed at it now. Wow I managed that without any obvious spoilers.

   It's also refreshing to read a new book of an established author. Nowadays there are so many debuts out there; while that's great and exciting, it's also sometimes hard for me to read a bunch, because I can tell they're still trying to find their own niche and style in the writing world.

   While I'll always be a bigger fan of Abé's adult drakon series, little by little this series is growing on me. I do like how certain people/things subtly connect with the other books, but there are still so many unanswered questions, and I am now anxious for the third and final book in the trilogy.

-Jane

My review of the first book is here.

Dance of the Red Death: review

Title: Dance of the Red Death (Masque #2)
Author: Bethany Griffin
Rating: 4 stars
Summary: In Dance of the Red Death, Araby’s world is in shambles—betrayal, death, disease, and evil forces surround her. She has no one to trust. But she finds herself and discovers that she will fight for the people she loves, and for her city.

Her revenge will take place at the menacing masked ball, though it could destroy her and everyone she loves…or it could turn her into a hero.

With a nod to Edgar Allan Poe, Bethany Griffin concludes her tragic and mysterious Red Death series with a heroine that young adult readers will never forget.

When I first heard this was going to be a duo, I got really excited because I really loved the first book. Them for some reason around the release, I started coming across a bunch of terrible reviews. So I warily ordered it from the library...and it was just as awesome and exciting as the first! A great conclusion of the story, and I can't wait for Griffin's next Poe retelling. Araby's world has such a vivid atmosphere, and I can guess the next story will be just as dark. (Because Poe, you know.)

Only a couple things bugged me. Both of those are called Elliott. (Not really. just the first.) I'm honestly not sure why everyone seems to be "Team Elliott" because I can't stand a single word that comes out of his mouth. And the fact that Araby is/was sort of in love with him or something...ugh. If the rest of the storyline wasn't so good, I would have serious issues with that character. He's possessive, selfish, arrogant, and downright sadistic and manipulative. (Yeah, I know. Bad childhood. But really??) I just don't get how anyone could like him. This is me being harsh. But it is my opinion.

The imagery with the masquerade ball and Prospero's palace, and the airship, swamp, even the Red Death victims....all very realistic. Still, still, cannot picture how exactly the porcelain masks work. Since this series is kind of steampunk, I think it would have been cool to have a few "info blurbs" and sketches every now and then in the books.

You can see my review of the first book, Masque of the Red Death here.

By the by, Bethany Griffin's next book will be another Poe retelling, called The Fall. <-- add on Goodreads!


-Jane

Just Like Fate: review

Title: Just Like Fate
Authors: Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young
Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: review copy from the publisher for an unbiased review
Summary: Caroline is at a crossroads. Her grandmother is sick, maybe dying. Like the rest of her family, Caroline's been at Gram's bedside since her stroke. With the pressure building, all Caroline wants to do is escape--both her family and the reality of Gram's failing health. So when Caroline's best friend offers to take her to a party one fateful Friday night, she must choose: stay by Gram's side, or go to the party and live her life.

The consequence of this one decision will split Caroline's fate into two separate paths--and she's about to live them both.

Friendships are tested and family drama hits an all-new high as Caroline attempts to rebuild old relationships, and even make a few new ones. If she stays, her longtime crush, Joel, might finally notice her, but if she goes, Chris, the charming college boy, might prove to be everything she's ever wanted.

Though there are two distinct ways for her fate to unfold, there is only one happy ending...
Review:

   I hear parallel universes are the new dystopian now, eh? Well count me in because this is my first book in the subject, and I'm a fan already. (Honestly, I think I've seen quite a few parallel universe stories out there the past few years, I just avoid them because I can't stand mirrored covers. But I'm getting past those shallow thoughts...slowly)

   Picking this book up to read was a no-brainer since I've been a huge fan of Cat Patrick's from the start, and more recently started fangirling over Suzanne's newest book, The Program. I haven't read many co-authored books...actually at the moment, I can't recall a single one. I definitely recognized Cat Patrick's writing style over Suzanne Young's, but that's probably because I've read more of her books, and I've only read Young's dystopian/futuristic-esque. One thing I'm curious about; how did they write it? I wonder which author wrote which decision?

   So as far as the story goes, you have the two different paths, "stay" and "go" which flip each chapter, and I am so glad the choice is written on the bottom of each page because I think I would have gotten confused and mixed the two up. They're obviously different, but the same events happen this way and that, and I had to pause and trace things back from time to time. At first I was rooting for the events of "stay" to be the real one, (or whatever is supposed to happen at the end) but my opinion quickly swayed back to "go" and I liked the story a lot more in those chapters.

   From the perspective of a newbie in this branch of sci-fi, it was very cool to see a character's different choices. Like, instead of screaming in frustration for choosing one way or another, I was like, oh, I get my way too. So now I will be on the lookout for more parallel universe books, if anyone has good recs, I'm all ears. Just Like Fate is a light read; I read it in a day. But it did have some good thought provoking aspects for teenagers, and I really liked that. Also, the ending is satisfyingly ambiguous.

-Jane

To read my reviews of Cat Patrick's books: Forgotten, Revived, The Originals
And my review of The Program by Suzanne Young is here.


Thanks again to Simon and Schuster for the book; this review is in no way biased, these are my honest thoughts.

Crown of Midnight: review

Title: Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2)
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Rating: 5 stars
Summary: After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.

Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king's bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she's given a task that could jeopardize everything she's come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon -- forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice. 

Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?

Review: 

Is it just me, or have there been more and more quality sequels coming out? *knocks on wood*


To start with, when I read Throne of Glass, I liked it. Celaena turned out to be a snarky cool character and the story had potential. But the book didn't stick with me. I don't own it, and I never really told anyone "dude you HAVE to go read this book." As far as fantasy goes, even though everybody was absolutely raving about it, my favorite aspect probably had to be the badass cover. (See my ToG review and cover comparison here.)

When I stumbled upon a galley of Crown of Midnight, I figured the first book had lots of potential, so I'll see if this second book is any good.

I am so glad I did.

There isn't much recap, but if you remember the main characters, that'll keep you in the loop. I was fuzzy on the rest, but as things kept moving forward in here, I just paid attention to what was in store next. There is literally no boring pages or chapters, and I finished the first half of the book in one sitting before I even realized it.

I have a feeling Maas has read some good fantasy, and used that knowledge to build a fantastical world of her own. She knows how to correctly make a fictional world. In Throne of Glass, you don't get to see much of the world besides the mines of Endovier, and the Glass Castle. It's really in the pre-novellas and the ones coming before Crown of Midnight that give you more of a glimpse of Celaena's world. I have a feeling the third book will open the world up yet again.

As far as POV goes, (one of the main points I pay attention to when picking a book,) it is third person like the first. We do get a handful of scenes in Chaol's, Dorian's, and the king's POV, but they're usually short and mysterious. And they're usually because Celaena's knocked out somewhere. For the most part, it works well for the writing style and the story.

There is some major character growth in here, guys. I can't say all I want to say without ruining the book for you. But whereas I thought the main cast of characters to be basic, rather shallow creatures in ToG, there is so much fleshing out and angles being uncovered, I am extremely grateful I kept going on the series. Even just Celaena, who has been keeping her past very secret. I kept asking myself "did I miss something from the first book, when her past is explained? Or the novellas?" Well, you'll see.

There has never been a more appropriate thing to say about this series: Who can you trust? Because I thought I had it all figured out a half-dozen times while reading Crown of Midnight. And Maas really has a way of making you think you know what's going on. Trust me, you don't.

Most of why my views did a one eighty in CoM, is full of spoilers, but when you read it and things start coming together, you will know exactly what I am talking about, and probably love it more than the first one as well.

Of course I can recommend this series to fans of Maria V. Snyder's Study Series, Cashore's Graceling books, and perhaps some old Eragon fans. (What? Really? Yes. Really.)

Did anyone notice how in Goodreads there's all the sudden six books in the series? At first I was annoyed, because I knew I would have to read them all. But after finishing CoM I am very, very glad. A lot of things need to happen. Artifacts to find...people to assassinate...I can't wait.

For those who have read Crown of Midnight, what'd you think of it?

I'm back! And some summer mini-reviews for you.

Hiatus over! I'm back from backpacking around Europe this summer. While I was gone, my Kindle kept me company, so I did not go completely without books. (It sure was hard though, and I missed my paper books at home very much.) I did read about 35 books, but here are a few I bothered to write mini-reviews for. These are also posted on Goodreads along with the rest of what I read on the trip.

The Girl Who Was on Fire: Hunger Games Trilogy essays anthology

Summary: In The Girl Who Was on Fire, thirteen YA authors take you back to Panem with moving, dark, and funny pieces on Katniss, the Games, Gale and Peeta, reality TV, survival, and more. From the trilogy's darker themes of violence and social control to fashion and weaponry, the collection's exploration of the Hunger Games reveals exactly how rich, and how perilous, protagonist Katniss' world really is.

• How does the way the Games affect the brain explain Haymitch's drinking, Annie's distraction, and Wiress' speech problems?
• What does the rebellion have in common with the War on Terror?
• Why isn't the answer to "Peeta or Gale?" as interesting as the question itself?
• What should Panem have learned from the fates of other hedonistic societies throughout history and what can we?

My rating: 5 stars

Review: These essays were great! None in particular, because they all kind of blended together, but there were some good point of views about different themes in The Hunger Games trilogy, and now I have more appreciation to Mockingjay. I don't hate it anymore, and I'm interested to read it again with a new mindset. I definitely recommend this book if you're at all a fan of the series.

Possible series SPOILER ALERT

My Soul to Keep (Soul Screamers #3) by Rachel Vincent 

Summary: Kaylee has one addiction: her very hot, very popular boyfriend, Nash. A banshee like Kaylee, Nash understands her like no one else. Nothing can come between them.Until something does.

Demon breath. No, not the toothpaste-challenged kind. The Netherworld kind. The kind that really can kill you. Somehow the super-addictive substance has made its way to the human world. But how? Kaylee and Nash have to cut off the source and protect their friends—one of whom is already hooked.
And so is someone else…

My rating: barely 2 stars

Review: When I hit the "I'm finished" button for this book I truly meant it. I'm finished with this book, and series all together, I can't stand it anymore and it's not worth my reading time. I can see why these books are popular but they're just not for me. I don't want to rant unreasonably but..

The idea of banshees is wonderful and unique, but when you stick it in a high school and have underlying everyday high school problems with a paranormal twist...it just loses the charm. Anyone know of other book series on banshees?

The adults here are badly written. First, the right thing is done because the adults are actually clued into the banshee business and everything; in fact they ARE banshees too. It's a genetic thing. The problem falls when at every turn of events the main character (wait what's her name again?) is in some dire circumstance (as happens in most climaxes) and she repeatedly refuses to call her dad, or clue in her uncle. Anything. Anybody. Why? Because she is afraid of getting grounded. You know, I really don't have to keep going on that subject. It's ridiculous.

And one last small thing. The protag's cousin Sophie, aka Ice Bitch Queen Character....yeah she's freakin 15 years old. Think of that. I can't even imagine being mollified by a fifteen year old. And I hope I'm using that word right, because I don't want to be sounding like a fifteen year old.
But REALLY, I get that the protag is only barely 17 or something, but that just makes me roll my eyes.

Okay rant over. I'm disappointed. I really wanted to like this series, and I figured three books were enough to judge a seven book series.

Oh. Don't get me wrong, there were aspects I liked about these books. Tod the reaper. Netherworld-building. 
Wait.
Yeah that's it.

The first two books were bearable. This pushed me over the edge.

Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindl

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Althea is the sole support of her entire family, and she must marry well. But there are few wealthy suitors--or suitors of any kind--in their small Yorkshire town of Lesser Hoo. Then, the young and attractive (and very rich) Lord Boring arrives, and Althea sets her plans in motion. There's only one problem; his friend and business manager Mr. Fredericks keeps getting in the way. And, as it turns out, Fredericks has his own set of plans . . . This witty take on the classic Regency--Patrice Kindl's first novel in a decade--is like literary champagne!

My rating: 5 stars

Review: Excellent book! I already wish I could read it for the first time again. There are many laugh out loud moments; the story doesn't take itself entirely seriously. Every time someone mentioned Lord Boring, or Mr. Fredericks did something stupid and tactless around Althea, my face broke out into a smile. If you've recently finished reading all of Jane Austen's books, or others of that kind and/or need something to get out of a book funk, you have to give Keeping the Castle a try. It's a short book but has depth and the writing style is sure to keep you entertained. Now, where can I find another book like it??

Antigoddess (Goddess War #1) by Kendare Blake

Summary: Old Gods never die…

Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.

Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra—an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god. 

These days, Cassandra doesn’t involve herself in the business of gods—in fact, she doesn’t even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning. 

Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with other of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these anti-gods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get, because immortals don’t just flicker out. 

Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath.

The Goddess War is about to begin.

My rating: 5 stars

Review: Besides the slow (but steady) pace...totally awesome! I can't wait for the next one; Kendare is at her best, and I am still a little shocked at her brutality to her characters. Such dedication.

And yes, that is my entire review.

The Reluctant Assassin (W.A.R.P. #1) by Eoin Colfer

Summary: Riley, a teen orphan boy living in Victorian London, has had the misfortune of being apprenticed to Albert Garrick, an illusionist who has fallen on difficult times and now uses his unique conjuring skills to gain access to victims' dwellings. On one such escapade, Garrick brings his reluctant apprentice along and urges him to commit his first killing. Riley is saved from having to commit the grisly act when the intended victim turns out to be a scientist from the future, part of the FBI's Witness Anonymous Relocation Program (WARP) Riley is unwittingly transported via wormhole to modern day London, followed closely by Garrick. 

In modern London, Riley is helped by Chevron Savano, a seventeen-year-old FBI agent sent to London as punishment after a disastrous undercover, anti-terrorist operation in Los Angeles. Together Riley and Chevie must evade Garrick, who has been fundamentally altered by his trip through the wormhole. Garrick is now not only evil, but he also possesses all of the scientist's knowledge. He is determined to track Riley down and use the timekey in Chevie's possession to make his way back to Victorian London where he can literally change the world.

My rating: 5 stars

Review: Now another series from Eoin Colfer I can look forward to! It's full of action, witty dialogue, and nasty bad guys. I have a soft spot for time traveling, and this is now one of my favorites in that genre. It's for a tab bit older audience than the Artemis Fowl books, I think, because it's not as lighthearted. Great capture of the 19th century London streets though, I felt completely immersed.

The Morning Star (Katerina #3) by Robin Bridges

Summary: Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, wants to be known as a doctor, not a necromancer. But Tsar Alexander III forbids women to attend medical school; his interest in Katerina extends only to her ability to raise the dead. Twice now, Katerina has helped him by using her power to thwart the forces of darkness—vampires bent on resurrecting the lich tsar Konstantin Pavlovich so that he can take what he sees as his rightful place on the throne. Katerina thought she had bound Konstantin to the Greylands, the realm of the dead, but he has found a way out. Now he is searching for the Morning Star, a sword that will allow him to command a legion of supernatural warriors.

Katerina must find the sword before Konstantin does—and she must travel to Egypt to do so. Along the way, she puts up with unwanted attention from her former fiancé, the nefarious Prince Danilo, and struggles with her feelings for her true love, George Alexandrovich. But with the looming threat from Konstantin, Katerina's focus remains on the sword. Russia's fate will be determined by whoever wields the Morning Star—and delivers the final blow.

My rating: 3 stars

Review: I guess I never really was a huge fan of this series to begin with. I liked it enough to keep going, but the way it was written really made it hard to follow at all, so I just picked it up here and there and that's how I got through. Not saying it's a bad series by any means, you just have to pay attention to all the Russian names and relations etc. 

So it's a nice ending to the series, but the last chapters felt rushed and completely unexpected, a tad out of character? Also, through the last two books and most of this one, Katerina was striving to be a doctor, when women weren't doctors, and how it actually played out...well I'm still not sure I like it. She seemed to compromise a few of her beliefs to be with...the one who wins the love triangle. (spoiler avoided.)

Very neutral three stars.

~~~~

Well there you go! I know that doesn't nearly make up for a three-month absense, but I have some pretty good books coming up in the next couple months, so keep an eye out! Have you read anything either outstanding or awful this summer?

-Jane

The Program: review + a giveaway!

Title: The Program (The Program #1)
Author: Suzanne Young
Rating: 5 stars!
Source: I received a finished copy from the publisher, to review without bias.
Summary: Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

   I try to read many of my local author's books when I can. Many of them visit my bookstore often, so I have plenty of opportunities to keep up with their new books, and meet them. (Of course, Stephanie Meyer visits less often, due to her supreme popularity, but that's okay with me.) I'm not sure how I've missed Suzanne Young's books in the past, but now I'll definitely be paying more attention to them!

   Sloane lives in a possible-reality world where teenage suicide is a worldwide epidemic. No one is really sure what is causing it, but in her state a few school systems have teamed up to create The Program. Claiming they have the cure, The Program takes at-risk teenagers, or ones who show signs of infection (depression, bad things like that) and take them to their super-secret facilities to "fix" them. Which might or might not include the erasing of most your memories in the process.

   This sounds similar to a run-of-the-mill dystopian storyline who has a corrupted government determined they're doing the right thing, but The Program stands on it's own, and the more contemporary setting really set it apart in my mind. So make sure to know, it is not dystopian, from anything I could tell. At least, with my definition: some world-ending event and the aftermath. This could very possibly happen right now. And no futuristic-y things are mentioned. Let's go with "government conspiracy book" because at this point in the series, you're not really sure what's responsible for the craziness.

The first part of the book is rather depressing, as one would expect by reading the summary. As much as I was engaged in the story, I felt myself being dragged down with Sloane's slowly deteriorating mind...until I realized, the fact that I was affected like this was the sign of a very good story. When I realized this, my wary opinion of the story changed dramatically and I read almost the rest of the book in one sitting.

The character building really holds this story together. Any book concerning memory tends to end up high on my favorites list, and what Sloane goes through vaguely reminded me of what we read in Flowers to Algernon. I'm not comparing the two books (as just books) in the least, because they're very different. But some plot points are familiar. Like in the way that we learn about the character and their life, then they try something/something happens to them, and then it completely changes who they are, and they completely lose themselves. Then toward the end...they almost end up close to the beginning stage again...if you've read both, do you get what I mean? I do intend to compliment The Program by badly explaining this concept. Wow I just read that through, and it still makes better sense in my head. Moving on.

I like Jay Asher's blurp on the cover: "Suspensful and touching, The Program feels frighteningly real." Because YES that pretty much describes the book perfectly. I should have just erased this entire review and only typed out that quote. The Program is such an excellent book because the psychology of it is truely frighteningly real. Who are you to trust when you're whole life of memories have been taken away so you don't even know who you are anymore? And then would you take that wonderful numbing medication? At a few points, I put myself in Sloane's shoes and tried to figure that out, and those questions are harder than you think.

It's been a few books since one has sucked me in like The Program has, so it was a great surprise, and I am glad to have it on my bookshelf. I highly recommend adding it to yours.

You'll like this book if you enjoyed....Any of Lauren Oliver's books, Jay Asher's books, or Flowers for Algernon. Also, If you usually read contemporary YA, or maybe if you don't (like me,) don't rule it out, because it's a fresh pick in the category, with a hint of an alternate reality vibe.



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Suzanne Young currently lives in Tempe, Arizona, where she teaches high school English. When not writing obsessively, Suzanne can be found searching her own tragic memories for inspiration. She is the author of several books for teens, including The Program, A Need So Beautiful, and A Want So Wicked.

Visit the Official Site of The Program
Visit Suzanne Young's Official Site
Follow Suzanne Young on Twitter





-Jane

Clockwork Princess: review

Warning: Major spoilers for the first two books, Clockwork Angel, and Clockwork Prince, so don't read even to the summary below, if you don't want the plot ruined! :) Go read the first two, and then come back.

Title: Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Rating: 5 stars

Source: bought hardback from Changing Hands Bookstore 

Summary: Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy?

Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.
A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her.

   Love triangles are overdone, and usually a pain in the ass to read about, in my opinion. But for Clockwork Princess, I have to admit, it's probably the most well done conclusion to a love triangle that I've ever read. No doubt the most unique.

   The one single part of CP that disappointed me was Jessamine. It did take me 100 pages in to realize she was missing though. (I think of her as a vintage Isabelle.) Jessamine only has about, oh, three pages in the whole book. She is crucially important in one way, but other than that, I think Cassie just didn't have a place to put her anymore. And I respect that, even though I was a little sad about it, I'm glad she didn't drag unnecessary characters around because it would have felt less natural.

   For the past two books, my friend and I have made snarky-mean comments on how similar this series is to the Mortal Instruments series. Well, for me (my friend has yet to read it) CP finally broke that mirror, and I was able to appreciate it without constantly comparing it to MI books. Anyway, a shit load of stuff happens in here, and branches off in so many directions, I'm not surprised it's gained independence. I liked it so much more than Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince.

   Many scenes remind me of Gothic novels, like Jane Eyre, which Tessa actually referred to a handful of times, among others. I like the dreary 1800's London weather, it just made the whole book have an on-edge feel to it, as characters race on horseback across rainy countrysides in order to save--oh wait, I can't tell you that part.

   One of the similarities to MI is Will, and Jace. Of course. But now that I've finished CP I don't find them remotely of the same character. I could easily say Jace is more like Gabriel Lightwood (who was hilarious in here, by the way) or maybe a mix of Gabriel and Will. But my opinion has definitely changed. No offense to either of them, but while Jace may be the greatest Shadowhunter of his generation, Will is the smartest of his. Their wit it pretty well matched, just in different ways.

   I like Will as a love interest. (I don't really have much of an opinion of Jem, sorry, but I can't say any of the things I would like to express anyway without HUGE spoilers. But I do like his character.) Back to Will though, I admire his admiration for great literature and poetry, even if his own poetry sucks. I loved and hated that he identified with Sydney Carton from A Tale of Two Cities which I really should read soon too. I just think he is a very good character who develops greatly along the series.

   And Magnus. There would be no Cassie Clare book complete with the awesome Magnus Bane. He's in here lots! And is actually kind of nice in many parts. Mostly. I never get tired of him though, rude Warlock or nice friend. I hope all works out for him and Alec...no, I can't think of that right now...

   As I'm writing this, I'm realizing more and more how little I can actually write in this review without spoilers. Because SO much happened between the 560+ pages, and like all of these great secrets were finally revealed...well, you will just have to read it yourself to find out! 

   A splendid ending to the series, and I can only hope the ending to the Mortal Instruments series, City of Heavenly Fire, will be just as satisfying.

-Jane