City of Ashes-The Mortal Instruments Series: Mini Book Review

Introduction 

So, if you haven't guess by the title of this review: this is the second book in the series of The Mortal Instruments. I read this book rather quickly, just as I has read the first one pretty quickly as well.

Sorry, this review has been long awaited. Life gets in the way and all that jazz. Promises I'll be posting more reviews soon!

Summary

So this book starts right where it left off in the last book. Clary's mother is still in a coma, Jace and Clary found out that they are "related" aka brother and sister but are still passionately in love with each other (gross), Simon is still in love with Clary so in an effort to maybe "forget Jace" she and Simon start sort of dating, Alec and Magnus are in a "secret relationship" which everyone but his parents know about. Also, Valentine is still being a jerk trying to kill all "downworlders" and "demons" as well as destroy the Clave and everything it stands for by collecting all of the mortal instruments.

A lot, of things happen in this book which are "unexpected". In this book the Author goes more into detail about "The Fairy Realm" which is interesting. Different type of Demon's are introduced and of course more than ever more drama is a foot.

That's all I will say really for a "summary" of this book if you are looking for more "details" about the series as a whole feel free to check out my last review on the first book in the series.

Review

I must admit, that I didn't like this book as much as I liked the first book in the series.

I found it annoying and a bit "repetitive" the relationship between Clary and Jace. So, as "discovered" in the last book when Valentine revealed that he is in fact both Clary and Jace's biological Father (Which frankly I don't know why anyone listens to him. He's an evil prick but I digress) So basically most of this book, Clary and Jace try to "fight" their feelings for each other because they are "related" and it's clear as day to everyone that they are in love with each other.
  *Spoiler* At one point after they share a somewhat "forced" kiss Jace suggests that they share a "secret relationship" together but Clary turns him down. After that point they pretty much spent the rest of the book either avoiding each other or being mean to each other. Which is pretty lame. I kept waiting for it be revealed that aren't actually related. There were two points in the book when I actually thought it might happen :Once with Imogen "The Inquisitor" who I am pretty sure is his Grandmother or is related to him some how who was killed before she could confess anything, and another time with Valentine who it seemed like was going to confess the truth to Clary but just so happen to be interrupted by an "epic" battle scene. *End Spoiler*

Let me just say one more thing before, I end this "quicky" review (well maybe one than one thing) The one thing I did enjoy about this book was learning more about Clary's Mother and her relationship with Lucian. The author goes into more detail about Lucian's turning into a werewolf and his "struggle" I found that quite interesting. I also, liked the introduction to the character Maia Roberts and her relationship dynamic with Simon. I'm interested to see where there relationship goes.

As for Clary's and Simons "relationship" well I won't go into much detail but I disliked it. Maybe it was the Authors point to make their interactions "awkward" in that case she did a good job otherwise well, yeah like I was awkward.. Clary was just trying to get over Jace by using her best friend which is of course is not cool at all. Still, like I said I'll be happy if Simon manages to get the girl Maia even though they have this weird dynamic of him being a vampire and her being a werewolf.


Thanks for reading everyone! Sorry this review was such a quickie! I have something in the works that I think many will you enjoy so look forward to that soon!

Ta ta,

Kiki aka Alaska Book Girl!

City of Bones-The Mortal Instruments Series: Book Review

Introduction 

I first came across this book series a few years ago, It sounded interesting enough but for whatever reason I never got around to reading it.

I actually watched the movie a while back, which after reading the book let me tell you wasn't half as good. On a whim at my local bookstore, I decided to pick this book and the book two and three up and give the series a try.

Summary

I know this series is rather popular and I'm sure many people have read or at least heard of this series regardless I'll give a little "back story" as to what the book series is about or at least the first book.

The main character's name is Clary Fray, is fifteen years old and just shy of turning sixteen. She is "cute" in looks but never really considers herself "beautiful" she is never petite in both height and weight and unruly curly red hair. Clary's best friend is named Simon Lewis, he is your typical brunet dorky teenage boy and typically as you expect he Clary "friend zones" Simon and for most of the book Clary doesn't even realize that he has liked pretty much their entire lives.

In comes the "bad ass shadow hunters" while at a club for "all ages" Clary happens to notice three teenagers who all are very hot and dressed in black and another teenager (she suspects) becoming violent with each other and head into a storage room. So she does what any, silly adolescence girl does and runs after them, with no help I might add.

After a brief violent affair she witness one of the "boys" by the hand of the other "teens" and comes to find out that there is a secret hidden world where: vampires, werewolves, fairies, warlock and witches all exist. As well as Demons and Angel there for Nephilim exist as well.

From a series of events which happens to have her Mother kidnapped,by and evil shadow hunter everyone believed was dead and a family friend randomly does out of the picture. She finds out that she like the rest of the shadow hunters ( Jace Wayland, Isabelle Lightwood and Alec Lightwood) are Nephillim aka Human Angel hybrids that fight and kill demons and belong to a secret ancient society(The Clave) that humans or "mundanes" have no idea exist because they use a "glamour" of sorts and hide the supernatural world around them.

That's all I will say for the summary, if you guys want to more well you can look at other reviews, search the web for spoilers or just go read the book!

Now, on to my review. I won't reveal much else about the story line (if I can resist).

Review

This book was really easy to get into! I was surprised as soon as I picked it up I was hooked! I must admit that I have a soft spot in my heart for young adult books though, obviously I have broaden out a bit when it comes to my book selection I always find myself coming back what it seems my favorite genre.

I think the thing I love most about young adult books, is they way they are written a wide array of audiences can enjoy the stories produced in this genre.

Any way, back to my review! Clary well, I will admit when I first started reading this book was a bit well let's just say it annoying. Of course she is irrational and compulsive (it seems like most of the character in the book I've been reading are).  That becomes frustrating and after awhile I will admit that it became predictable which isn't always a bad thing but still and like I said above I had seen the movie prior to reading the book (Let me just say I enjoy, book much more than the movie and the casting of movie was pretty bad expect for Luke and Simon. I love both of the actors who play them from Being Human and Misfits) At some points in the book I found myself wanting to reach into the pages and slap Clary! I know a tad bit dramatic but still. I understand that Clary (her character anyway) is a teenage girl which obviously, I know what it is like to be a teenage girl being that I am in my early twenties, it wasn't that long ago that I was that age. Clary is can be really jealous, petty and just plain mean! Did I mention impulsive yes, she is very impulsive and she constantly doesn't seem to care or doesn't realize the consequences of her actions (the entire book really)  Clary, isn't the worst "main character" and towards the end of the book Clary even admitted that "she grew up" after all the things she saw. ( I hope in book two she is not so, well stupid) Being that said I grew to tolerate her in this series and maybe even slightly like her as a character (at least enough to keep reading the series)

I feel the same way about the rest of the character in the series as well, Jace annoyed me at first but I grew to like him and even cheer on Clary and Jace's budding romance *Spoiler Alert* I was just disappointed when Jace turned out to be her "brother" especially after they kissed and they both are pretty much in love with each other. It pretty much is obvious that down the line, it will be revealed that they aren't related surprise surprise. *End of Spoiler*

Alec, I thought was whinny and annoying at first (there seems to be to many love triangles in this book and it's getting a little to complicated. Just saying)  I really am rooting for Alec and Mangus to get together (just saying!) He turns out to be not "so bad" I guess, though he really isn't in the story that much to tell. Isabelle, well I really don't have much to say about her other than she is suppose to be beautiful and she can fight well and her and Clary have some rivalry going on *Spoiler* Some how, the rivalry between Clary Isabelle and Alec all seems to go away by the end of the book and the accept her apparently. *End Spoiler*

Simon on the other hand, I think I liked him better in the beginning of the book rather than the end. He was cute and dorky at first and light hearted, in a way he reminded me of Xander from Buffy he offered some comical relief. Towards the end of the book, he became "serious" and all "manly" which was kind of dull to be honest to me it felt like he lost most of his personality. I also, enjoyed Luke in the story as well and just over all liked him as a character.

I know many people compared, Valentine to Voldemort of the Harry Potter series and I was actually thinking the same thing in a way. Though, I don't really have anything else to say about him other than that.


I think my favorite thing about this book was the setting and story line of the over all story, it probably made the entire story ten times better without both the characters would really fall flat. The world Cassandra Clare created was beautiful and well crafted to say the least. I think that was really sucked me into this book, is I just wanted to learn more about the Shadow Hunters and the world that they live in! I look forward to to reading the next book in series and finding out what happens next!


Happy reading everyone!

Kiki aka Alaska Book Girl!

Book Review: Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas

Introduction

I received this book via goodreads.com as a "first read" in order to give this book an honest review. If you would like to send me a book to review feel free to contact me through this email, linked to my blog.

I haven't read to many Historical Romances before, for no reason really it's just I never got around to "exploring" this sub-genre.

My first impression, was well I wasn't sure I was going to like it but as I began reading this book I was completely draw into the world that Sherry Thomas created as well as the character too.

Summary

This story takes between the years 1888 to 1896 (I believe those are the correct dates).

The main character's name is Millie she is the daughter of wealthy man who's family made their money in canned goods. Millie had been trained her whole life to be a "proper wife" her family hoped that she would be able to marry someone who had a "title" meaning from aristocratic blood. Millie is depicted as a very agreeable, not particularly "attractive" and a bit plain. She doesn't really have a "rebellious" bone in her body and is the type of women who has always done what she is told.

Millie marries, Fitz whom she falls for instantly when she first meets him. Fitz all though comes from an aristocratic background, his family is no longer wealthy so he must marry into "money" in order to maintain his estate which he inherited from his distant relative. Alas, Fitz is already in love with any other women named Isabelle whom he cannot marry because her family is not incredibly wealthy.

The story flashes back in between the "present" time of the story and different moments in the marriage of Millie and Fitz.

In the beginning of their marriage Millie makes a pact with Fitz that they would have a "contract" marriage and all though they would be "technically" married either one of them would sleep together.

* spoiler*

They grow close and become "friends" within their marriage and Fitz begins to grow love and respect for her throughout the years. He doesn't think of her as so "bland".

Years after they are "comfortably" married Isabelle comes back into the picture. So Fitz decides to meet up with Isabelle and have an affair with her while still married to Millie. As promised he plans to give Millie an "heir" they will try for six months for her to get pregnant and then pretty much plans to leave her.

*End Spoiler*

In the book there is also brief mention of Fitz two sisters: Helena who is unmarried and is conducting an affair with her married first cousin I believe (Fitz best friend Hastings is in love with her "secretly") and  Venetia whom is already married (I believe her story was told in the previous book which I did not read).

I won't get really into their "story lines" in this review.

Review

 I would say the overall I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I really enjoyed this book.

I have to hand it to Sherry Thomas, I actually while reading this book I found that English is in fact not her first language and I never would I have guessed that!

She created such fluent imagery with her words, I felt as though I was actually there! To be at least it takes talent to write "historical" novels because you want to be true the dialect of the time but still make in understandable to the "average reader" and I feel like she did just that.

Reading some other reviews about this book, I saw certain people "complain" that Millie was "boring and anti-feminist" that she teaches women to "do exactly what you are told and everything will work out". I can't say that I necessarily agree with that statement. I think that Sherry Thomas, made Millie historically accurate, to the time she lived in. I think it would be silly to have a women who has a "20th century attitude" in that time period. Wealthy women back then were taught to be "timid" and very rule "abiding". I don't think Millie was at all a "push over" instead she was intelligent and found different ways than simply being "forward" about everything, she worked around the fact she was a woman and still managed to do the things she wanted.

I really don't have to many complaints about this book, Fitz obviously annoyed me at times because he was stupidly obsessed with Isabelle for most of the book and didn't always treat Millie very nicely. Still, she managed to treat him kindly and even he was surprised about the fact that she always almost always "composed" and took care of him even when he didn't deserve it.

I think any reader ( myself included) probably felt awful for Millie. I mean come on, she just wanted him to notice her the entire time!

I didn't always "enjoy" the flashbacks in the story sometimes I just felt to me that they were "stalling" the story and not getting to the good part!

There was no sex until page 226! I guess they just wanted to build up the story line more? I don't know it was a bit frustrating at times.

Over all, I thought this book was an excellent read and I enjoyed it very much. If you are into historical romance, I would recommend that you check out Sherry Thomas's books, she is a very good writer.

Thanks for guys for checking out my blog,

Kylia aka Alaska Book Girl!

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3451295-kylia

Book Review:The Fault in Our Stars

First as always let me state that I do not own the right to any of the image/s used in my blog. They were provided by Google search.

Introduction
In all honesty, I am not sure how to exactly "introduce" this book. I know it might sound "lame" but i actually only heard of this book from seeing the countless ads for the movie (which I have not seen). On a whim, I decided to give the book a "go".

I of course could kind of guess what was going to happen in this story as most stories about "children" or even "adults" with cancer they do not have usually have a "happy ending". I decided to give this book a try regardless of the fact that I kind of had an idea of what was going to happen.


Summary
As expected, (if any of you have seen the previews for the movie) the story revolves around Hazel Grace: a a sad girl who has cancer and really lives a sheltered life "waiting around to die", she has been told that she has terminal cancer and choose not to really do things "normal teenagers" do.

Hazel meets August or Gus (her love interest) at a support group for "teenagers" or "kids" with cancer. She also, befriends a boy named Issac who is very much in love with a girl ( I forget her name)

*Spoiler alert* .
Isaac has to get his "eyes" or should I say one "eye" removed because of his cancer. His girlfriend selfishly breaks up with him and become very pessimistic after the fact. Most scene with him in the book are a bit hard to read. Also, Isaac and his "ex" have a thing where they say "Forever" so Hazel and Gus later have a "thing" where they say "okay"; in case any of you where wondering what "okay" means in the context of the book.
*End Spoiler*
Most of Hazel and Gus's interactions are just so very cute! (At least at first) As the story goes on the book becomes more depressing. (Yes, it is true)

*Spoiler*
At one point they use Gus's "wish" and they visit Amsterdam so they can meet Hazel's "favorite author" and find out he "ends the story" because the book he writes ends abruptly without a defiant end. 
 This book also ends the same way and the Author is a washed up has been who is an alcoholic and a complete a**.

*Giant Spoiler Alert Here!!*
They have a very romantic date while in Amsterdam and they both loose their virginities  to each other.

After a their "Amsterdam Romance" together , Gus confesses that he in fact too is terminally ill and he has been hiding it from Hazel and he is actually in worse health than Hazel. Pretty much after that the book just describes how Gus deteriorates and how Hazel sticks around and stays by his side.

Gus eventually dies, after Issac and Hazel have a "mock funeral" for him which is all dreadfully tearful. At Gus's funereal the "Jerk Author" shows up and "apologizes" for being well obviously not nice. Hazle doesn't really forgive him of course and it turns out his book which focuses on a girl with cancer is about his daughter who passed away and he tells her she reminds him of her.(This is flattering I suppose)

Later, Issac clues her in about a "piece" written by Gus which is supposedly the "ending" to the book they both loved by the "Jerk Author". The "Jerk Author's" ex assistant sends Hazel a copy of what Gus wrote and basically in a nutshell it is a "eulogy" like what Hazel wrote for Gus he wants the Author to say at her Funeral. After that, the book abruptly ends.

*End Spoilers*


Review
Let me start out by saying before I write my "official' review this book is dreadful sad!

I liked this book,  I found myself dreading the ending through the entire book. This book was rather depressing well as expected; often I found myself wondering why I was reading such a sad book in the first place.

I really liked both Hazel Grace and August. I think that was probably the "crappiest" part. That being the reason, I probably read the book in the first place was because i liked the characters.

*Spoiler Alert*
I freaking of course thought, the author of Hazel's "favorite book" was of course an a**hole but that's to be expected because his character is one! I was disappointed for Hazel when he didn't tell her the ending of her favorite book. I mean who wouldn't be, they travel all the way across the globe and find out their "hero" is a crock; I think any one would be disappointed.

It was tear jerking when August died to say the least and of course of the how the book ended to "expect" to know that Hazel died as well. It was like i said down right depressing. Also, the way in the book that August is described deteriorating is awful as well. The part when he pee's the bed is probably the worse and when they read each other's eulogy.
 *Ah who am I kidding? SPOILERS EVERYWHERE!!!*

Of course I though it was cute when the couple was in Amsterdam having their little "romantic date". I think you'd have to be soulless not to think it wasn't cute. How Hazel was nervous and asked her Mom if her outfit looked okay. How August wore a suit and tie they had a cute romantic dinner and then a passionate encounter later.

Before they went to Amsterdam as well. When they first meet and he compared her to Natalie Portman and was making googly eyes at her across the room. When he made her "dutch sandwiches" and announced they would be going to Amsterdam. How cute it was when Hazel was all cutely excited!
*End Spoiler*

I didn't really enjoy the "endless rambling" or at least that's what I call it in the book I feel like there was a lot of it. Usually, I like a lot of dialog but at some points, it was annoying. I mean I get, the character are "free thinkers" or "philosophical" but still I know in real life it bugs they heck out me when people constantly talk like that and I feel the same way about books.



I think this book defiantly "goes up there" on the list of "best romance stories" that are just both "timeless" and "unforgettable".  I think you could defiantly compare this book to "The Notebook" or "Titanic" in the sense that like I said it is an "unforgettable love story".

If you are even slightly a romantic at heart, I suggest you check this book out but be prepared to have your heart strings tugged!!

I would say that I would give this book 3 1/2 stars out of 5. Even though it is a "epic love story" it wasn't really my "favorite book of all time" and there were certain things (mostly the endless dialog and the fact that at some points this book is down right depressing) that I did not like. I'm sure many people could argue that they both like the "rambling" and "depressing" or more "emotional" parts; you could say that really adds to the "hype" of the book but I did not enjoy those parts but that is of course just a matter of opinion.

Thanks for guys for checking out my blog,

Kylia aka Alaska Book Girl!

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3451295-kylia

Book Review: The one (selection #3) *Mini Review of the Entire Series*

First as always let me state that I do not own the right to any of the image/s used in my blog. They were provided by Google search.

Introduction
First let me say that I was so supper excited to read this book! I did review the other two books, on goodreads.com I'll post a link to both of those reviews so you guys can check them out!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/833011032?book_show_action=false
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/834768627?book_show_action=false
I will say that they are both brief reviews and are not nearly as long as this book review will be.

Summary
So like I stated above this is the third and final book in the "Selection Series". I know that many of you have probably read the series already and maybe some of you haven't read the series at all.

I won't spoil anything as always, for any of you out there who might want to read this in the future.I'll give some information as a whole what the series is about.

The series takes place, in the future in what use to be The United States and now is called Illea. In this country, everyone has a number of sorts called "castes" when you are in a "castes" it pretty much limits you to certain jobs you can do, if you will be wealthy and so and so forth.

In comes the competition The Selection! It is a tradition where many different young women both rich and poor get entered into a competition to ultimately "win the princes heart" and become rich and famous during the process.

Enter, our lovely main character America. Unlike most of the other girls in the selection she doesn't really want to be a "princess" in fact she would like nothing more to just marry her "secret boyfriend" Aspen who is a lower caste then she is and live a poor and happy life.

She enters the competition not really wanting to and of course "gets selected" to come to the palace and compete for the young princes heart.

Through out the series, there is a bit of a love triangle going on between Aspen, her first love and Maxton the Prince.

The series is almost like the bachelor really, only the winner becomes and princess. There are lots of twists and turns along the way in the series.

Especially, in this last book. There are so many unexpected things that happen in the book! I won't say much because I really don't want to give too much away.

Review
This was such a great book! I absolutely loved this book! I give it 5 out of 5 stars!
I really decided to read the first book in the series on a whim and I have really enjoyed the entries series as a whole.

I think Kiera Casss, did an excellent job bringing the series to a close. She gave us readers exactly what we wanted from the start. (I won't say what but you all can probably guess)

Spoiler alert, if you don't want to know skip reading this part!
I was saddened, of course by many of the events in the series! So many deaths. :( I was happy to see Celeste change her colors in the end and become friends with America of course it would have been nice to see her at the wedding so sad!

It was awful when, Queen Amberly and America's Father passed away as well. The wedding scene was very cute as well and very much enjoyed reading it!

I like how Lucy and Aspen ended up together in the end too! (Though I must admit it was bitter sweet and of course I was always Team Maxton all the way)

I also, enjoyed the meeting some of the rebels and seeing them work together with American and Maxton.

I was pretty surprised that Kriss was rebel all along! I did not see that coming.

Some parts, I was so mad at Maxton! So freaking, indecisive when obviously he wants America! Like how he was going to choose Kriss instead! Come on man noooooo!


Read Here, no more spoilers.
I have checked out some other review for the book and I do think some parts were a bit rushed but like I said I do think this was a good ending.

So much was going on in this book, not to say that nothing happened in the others but at some points it felt "off balance" in comparison to the other books in the series.

I am sad that series is over because I really enjoyed this series! I hope maybe in the future this series could turn into a movie or a tv series. I would love that but then again I might hate who they pick for America.(That always happens in series when there go from book to tv or movie to me any way)

Defiantly, check this series out if you already haven't such a great book series!

Kylia aka Alaskan Book Girl