Review: City of Ashes

Hey all! Taylor here!

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare


4 out of 5 stars!


In this sequel to City of Bones (S & S, 2007), the nonstop action continues. The Shadowhunters are battling a world of demons that few people can see. Guided by the laws of the Clave, these hunters balance fighting with the other more mundane aspects of life—love, betrayal, and confusion. Jace, the fiercest teenage Shadowhunter, seems determined to make everyone around him angry, and is looked upon with suspicion because his father, Valentine, is out to rule the world. Meanwhile, love triangles abound, vampires are reborn, and general teenage angst blossoms among a group of friends and siblings. Set in an alternative present-day Manhattan, the story comes complete with Britney Spears references and even, ironically, refers to the scientific CSI. Well written in both style and language, it compares favorably to others in this genre. The human characters are well developed and quite believable. The whole book is like watching a particularly good vampire/werewolf movie, and it leaves readers waiting for the next in the series. Watch this one fly off the shelves.


Synopsis found on Amazon by Jennifer-Lynn Draper, Children's Literature Consultant, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada 


Taylor's Review:
so, i just got finished listening to the second book in The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. um. WOW.

First of all, i think it was one of the best audio books i have ever listened to. I love audiobooks, but sometimes it is hard for them to hold my interest, especially if there is not much going on. However, with "City of Ashes," it was a TOTALLY different story. I would park my car and then just sit in it, listening some more.

This book, like the first, was packed with action. I found myself breathing hard along with the characters in the book. The tension between jace and clary is ridiculous. And jace was seriously getting on my nerves. I cannot stand arrogant boys. But in this book I got to see deeper into jace, his past, and why he is like he is.

I love Cassandra Clare's writing. Like a lot. It's so beautiful and makes me feel like i am right there with the characters.

All in all: i just can NOT wait to read (or listen to) City of Glass. City of Ashes left me feeling like i may have an idea of the next twist in the story.. ahh just typing about it makes me want to go read it right now!

thanks so much for reading!

Taylor

Read more...

Waiting On....

Ok so, we've mentioned this trilogy several times already, but....

CAN'T WAIT UNTIL...

Seriously, though. Awesome. 

If you haven't started Divergent yet...

Just do it.

One choice can transform you - or it can destroy you.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth: May, 2012

Who else is PUMPED?!

This weekly event is hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Read more...

Top Ten Tuesday (1)

Hosted by: The Broke and the Bookish

 1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling. Well, pretty much any Harry Potter book, but this is a shared favorite. i mean come on, Harry on a hippogriff?!

2. The Death Cure by James Dashner. Yes, we have an obsession.

3. Divergent by Veronica Roth. LOVE LOVE LOVE. the colors are awesome.

4. Delirum  by Lauren Oliver. Looks cool to me.

5. Unwind by Neal Shusterman.  Kinda creepy. I like it. Not sure why but I keep hearing the Twilight Zone when I look at it.

6. After by Amy Efaw. Simple and Nice.

7. If I Stay by Gayle Forman. Again, kinda creepy. Like it though.

8. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. Not sure what's going on, but I like it!

9. Wither by Lauren DeStefano. It's just pretty.

10. Entwined by Heather Dixon. I WANT THAT DRESS!

Read more...

What are you Reading Monday (1)

hey y'all! Today we wanted to participate in "what are you reading?"!

Taylor's "what are you reading?"
so last week i finished:

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin: 3/5 Stars ; I was expecting so much more from this book. Don't get me wrong, it was a good read, just not outstanding.

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner: 5/5 Stars; OH MY GOODNESS. that is all i can say right now. Be expecting an entire trilogy review from both of us soon!

Looking for Alaska by John Green: 5/5 Stars; once again.. oh my goodness. check out my review below for more of my thoughts.

Currently Reading:

The Death Cure by James Dashner: Finally finishing this roller coaster of a series. can NOT wait to see what happens.

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare: Yet another amazing series. This one is throwing me for a loop at every single page turn! Love it.

To Read Soon:

Possession by Elana Johnson: Picked this one up at the library! I love dystopian so of course i had to check it out.

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin: This seems like a fun quick read so i'm excited to check it out! a girl who lives her life backwards? muy interesante! 

Rebekah's "What are you reading?"

This week I finished:

The Death Cure by James Dashner: So the third and final book to the Maze Runner Series was INSANE. I found out about these books and read them all within a few weeks. 4/5 stars. Only reason I can't give it five is because....well I can't spoil it.

Pretty Little Liars, Book One by Sara Shepard: What a contrast, huh? Yeah, yeah. I saw the TV show before the book, so I already had an idea how it would go. I found it (in hardback, yes!) at a used bookstore for $4, so why not? Easy read, pretty scandalous, but pretty good. If you're in to that kind of thing. 3.5/5

Currently Reading:

Divergent by Veronica Roth: Started reading this on accident. Best accident EVER! LOVE IT SO FAR!


To Read Soon:

 

Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares: I read all the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in high school and seriously fell in love. Can't believe she wrote another. This is just what I need. CANNOT WAIT!

Read more...

Musing Mondays (October 17)

Do you judge a book by its cover?

Didn't you just hate it when your mom would say that to you in middle school about the kid who sat behind you history class with the old sketchers and annoying voice? Well, I did. Funny thing is, mommy dearest was usually right. 

Same thing with books. I've gotten better through the years with giving a book a chance. I don't care so much about how "pretty" it looks, but if the cover is cheesier than Aunt Donna's potato casserole, it takes a LOT of will power for me to pick it up and read the back cover. 

Have to admit though, some of the best books I've ever read were some real stinkers. And some of the absolute WORST books I have read had covers as pretty as Fleur Delacour.

Still, I've learned to give a book the benefit of the doubt. And recommendations from friends and authors help too. 

Leave a comment! What do you think about book covers?

Read more...