The Raven King

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher

The fourth and final installment in the spellbinding series from the irrepressible, #1 New York Times bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater.

The quest for the Welsh king Glendower is completed, but kings aren't always what they're cracked up to be. Gansey and his friends are now desperate to change what they have come to believe is his fate-to die before the end of the year. They also have to cope with the villainous forces of greed and corruption who descend on their town, RoboBees, and a power-hungry demon. And there's that nagging curse that Blue will kiss her true love and he will die, and she's increasingly certain that Gansey is her heart's desire.

Strange revelations about Blue's father and the introduction of a new student, who proves to be a stalwart and trustworthy ally, all help to build to the breathtaking climax. Beyond the imaginative storytelling, the colorful cast of characters, and the looping subplots, Stiefvater has tackled big questions about life and death, power and personal responsibility, dreams and promises, and fate and destiny.

My Review
Page Count: 439 pages
Genre: YA Literature, YA Fantasy
Series: The Raven Cycle

"The head is too wise. The heart is all fire.”

I was kind of underwhelmed by the first book in this series, The Raven Boys, but I am really glad that I kept reading. I honestly think that the first book was more of an introduction to set up the plot and the MANY twists and turns to come. 

Maggie Stiefvater's writing is poetic, subtle, and takes some getting used to, and before you know it you are completely attached to the protagonists. The romance build up was perfect, and it wasn't the main focus of the plot, which I appreciated. The Raven Boys really do capture your heart. It reminds me of the quote from The Fault In Our Stars, "I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once." At first I wasn't sure if I would like them, but once I started reading The Dream Thieves, I began to love them. By the time I got to The Raven King, I was hopelessly invested in the story! I love that it is about friendship and magic. 

“He was a book, and he was holding his final pages, and he wanted to get to the end to find out how it went, and he didn't want it to be over.” 

“What a strange constellation they all were.” 

**SPOILERS**
I was SO ecstatic about Ronan and Adam. I wasn't expecting it, but when it happened, it just made sense. 

“His feelings for Adam were an oil spill; he'd let them overflow and now there wasn't a damn place in the ocean that wouldn't catch fire if he dropped a match.” 

“When Adam kissed him, it was every mile per hour Ronan had ever gone over the speed limit. It was every window-down, goose-bumps-on-skin, teeth-chattering-cold night drive. It was Adam’s ribs under Ronan’s hands and Adam’s mouth on his mouth, again and again and again. It was stubble on his lips and Ronan having to stop, to get his breath, to restart his heart. They were both hungry animals, but Adam had been starving for far longer.” 

I also loved that each character had a role, but they weren't obvious from the beginning: Gansey, the King, Blue, the Mirror Tree, Adam, the Magician, Noah, the Ghost, Henry, the Special One, and Ronan, The Greywaren. 

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Dear Martin

Dear Martin by Nic Stone - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher

Raw, captivating, and undeniably real, Nic Stone joins industry giants Jason Reynolds and Walter Dean Myers as she boldly tackles American race relations in this stunning New York Times bestselling debut, a William C. Morris Award Finalist.

Justyce McAllister is a good kid, an honor student, and always there to help a friend—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. Despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can’t escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates.

Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out.

Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up—way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it’s Justyce who is under attack.

My Review
Format: Audiobook
Length: 273 Minutes | 4.5 hours
Genre: YA Literature, Coming of Age, Realistic Fiction
Series: N/A
Content Warning: profanity, language, fighting, racial slurs, racism, police brutality

This book is so powerful. I absolutely love that the protagonist, Justyce McCallister, starts his journey to be like Martin Luther King Jr. by writing letters to him. Overall, this was a short, but beautiful, powerful read, and I highly recommend it!

The Good: 

• The format. This book is written in prose as well as letters that Justyce writes to MLK. The letters really complemented the storytelling and supported the character development. 
• Justyce. Justyce is a very likable character. He has flaws, but he tries to do the right thing, even if it is hard...just like Martin. His growth in this novel is phenomenal.
• The narrator is excellent. He did a great job of making the story come to live and giving each character their own voice.   
• The story does not shy away from hot topic issues such as police brutality and racism. 
• The characters were well developed. Nic Stone did a great job of bringing forth their personalities, humor, flaws, and all. They were depicted as normal people. There were a few extreme characters (you will know when you come across them in your reading), but overall these are characters that I might encounter in a normal day, which was refreshing and made the book more authentic and realistic. 

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Blue Lily, Lily Blue

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Author

The third installment in the Raven Cycle. For the first time in Blue Sargent’s life, she has a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. The trick with found things, though, is how easily they can be lost. When Blue’s mother goes missing and old enemies turn up in her place, people start to get hurt.

My Review

The Raven Cycle story continues to improve with each book. The first two books, The Raven Boys and The Dream Thieves, served to set up the world and get to know the characters. 

The Good: 

• The plot moved forward at a quicker pace in this installment of the series. The story of Blue's missing mother added suspense. 
• We get to know the characters even more in this book. 
• Blue and Gansey's budding relationship. It is so slow and subtle that it is beautiful. 
• The cover is gorgeous. 
• The cliffhanger at the end! 

The Not So Good:

• I don't fully understand Piper's role in the story. When she was introduced, I was a bit confused, and the confusion did not clear up by the end of the book. 
• The plot can get a bit confusing at times. 

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King of Scars Cover Reveal!

Today is the day, folks. Leigh Bardugo revealed the cover to her new book King of Scars, set to release in 2019. 

Description from the Author's Website:
"Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal."

Pre-Order links are not available as of yet, but I cannot wait! 

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We Are Okay

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher

You go through life thinking there’s so much you need. . . . Until you leave with only your phone, your wallet, and a picture of your mother. Marin hasn’t spoken to anyone from her old life since the day she left everything behind. No one knows the truth about those final weeks. Not even her best friend Mabel. But even thousands of miles away from the California coast, at college in New York, Marin still feels the pull of the life and tragedy she’s tried to outrun. Now, months later, alone in an emptied dorm for winter break, Marin waits. Mabel is coming to visit and Marin will be forced to face everything that’s been left unsaid and finally confront the loneliness that has made a home in her heart. 

An intimate whisper that packs an indelible punch, We Are Okay is Nina LaCour at her finest. This gorgeously crafted and achingly honest portrayal of grief will leave you urgent to reach across any distance to reconnect with the people you love.

My Review
I LOVED this book! Reading We Are Okay feels like you are experiencing a depressive episode just like the protagonist, Marin. This book isn't so much plot-driven as it is character-driven. The focus is on Marin and her journey of processing the death of someone close to her and finding out the truth. Meanwhile, she is working through repairing a damaged relationship with her best friend, Mabel. 

The Good: 

• I loved how this book switched between past and present. It allowed Marin's story to reveal itself slowly and gives readers a little bit of breathing room. 
• The accuracy of depression. Nina LaCour's writing allows readers to experience the heavy, hopelessness that is depression. Her prose is beautiful. 
• The issues in this novel were addressed wonderfully. Issues include depression, mental illness, grief, friendship, family, first love, bisexuality, homelessness, loneliness, lack of belonging, and growing up. 
• Marin's character development. Because this was a character-driven novel, we really get to see Marin grow through her thoughts and actions. 
• I ugly sobbed throughout this book. The story was so incredibly touching. 
• I related to Marin's depression. Readers who have experienced a loss of a loved one will find solace in this book. 
• Because this book dealt with loss, it made me remember good memories of my father and grandmother. Their deaths were so traumatic for me, and it was nice to be reminded of why I love them so much. 
• Marin really connected her self to Jane Eyre, one of my favorite classic novels. 
• This book has my heart. 
• This book shows that while depression feels like it is never going to end, there is hope, and we will be okay. 

The Not-So-Good:

• While this book is meant to mirror depression and it's ups and downs, the book did feel a bit slow in the middle. 

“I was okay just a moment ago. I will learn how to be okay again.” 

“The trouble with denial is that when the truth comes, you aren't ready.” 

“I wonder if there's a secret current that connects people who have lost something. Not in the way that everyone loses something, but in the way that undoes your life, undoes your self, so that when you look at your face it isn't yours anymore.” 

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The Dream Thieves

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher

The second installment in the all-new series from the masterful, #1 New York Times bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater! Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...

My Review

I liked this book a lot more than The Raven Boys. In The Dream Thieves, we get to learn more about the characters, particularly Ronan, and we get to see where the story is going. I cared a lot more about the characters in this book, and I flew through it because I wanted to see what happened next. I honestly fell in love with Ronan because of this book. He is a complex character who tries to do what he thinks is right. I also enjoyed the addition of a few new characters, including The Grey Man. 

Oh my God, THAT ENDING! Can you say cliffhanger?! I am so glad that I purchased the entire series before I started reading them. I am jumping right into Blue Lily, Lily Blue! 

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To All the Boys I've Loved Before

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han - ⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher

SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE!

Lara Jean’s love life gets complicated in this New York Times bestselling “lovely, lighthearted romance” (SLJ) from the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer I Turned Pretty series.

What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them…all at once?

Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

This paperback edition includes bonus recipes from Lara Jean’s Christmas Cookie Bonanza!

My Review

This book was so cute! Lara Jean is a sweet, innocent girl who gets caught in a love triangle. She is also learning how to deal with new challenges in light and high school. The character development was pretty good in this book; however, none of the characters really grew that much. I gave it a lower rating because Lara Jean, as a narrator, sounded a little too young for her age. I also predicted very early on how Lara Jean's letters got mailed. Overall this is a really sweet book, and I did enjoy reading it. I plan on finishing the trilogy. 

I did listen to most of this book through Audible. The narrator was really good, and I enjoyed listening. 

I highly recommend it for 8th grade and up!

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Clockwork Prince

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Claire - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher

True love is shrouded in secrets and lies in the enchanting second “steamy, steampunk drama” (Los Angeles Times) in the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy, prequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series—now with a gorgeous new cover, a map, a new foreword, and exclusive bonus content! Clockwork Prince is a Shadowhunters novel.

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when it becomes clear that the mysterious Magister will stop at nothing to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, tortured Will and the devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal and fueled by revenge. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa is drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa answers about who she really is? As their search leads to deadly peril, Tessa learns that secrets and lies can corrupt even the purest heart.

My Review

Oh, Cassandra Claire, you have done it again! You break my heart every time, and I love you for it. Once again we are taken to Victorian London to continue the story that began with Clockwork Angel. The character development in this book is excellent, most particularly Will, who grew SO MUCH in this book! Clockwork Prince is action packed from beginning to end and introduces readers to more characters in the Shadowhunter world. This book is humorous, and the plot twists are amazing. The love triangle between Tessa, Will, and Jem also continues and made me feel so many emotions. My heart is broken, and I cannot wait for it to happen again in the next book, Clockwork Princess. 

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Far From the Tree

Far From the Tree by Robin Benway - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher

National Book Award Winner and New York Times Bestseller!

Perfect for fans of NBC's "This Is Us," Robin Benway’s beautiful interweaving story of three very different teenagers connected by blood explores the meaning of family in all its forms—how to find it, how to keep it, and how to love it.

Being the middle child has its ups and downs.

But for Grace, an only child who was adopted at birth, discovering that she is a middle child is a different ride altogether. After putting her own baby up for adoption, she goes looking for her biological family, including—

Maya, her loudmouthed younger bio sister, who has a lot to say about their newfound family ties. Having grown up the snarky brunette in a house full of chipper redheads, she’s quick to search for traces of herself among these not-quite-strangers. And when her adopted family’s long-buried problems begin to explode to the surface, Maya can’t help but wonder where exactly it is that she belongs.

And Joaquin, their stoic older bio brother, who has no interest in bonding over their shared biological mother. After seventeen years in the foster care system, he’s learned that there are no heroes, and secrets and fears are best kept close to the vest, where they can’t hurt anyone but him.

Don't miss this moving novel that addresses such important topics as adoption, teen pregnancy, and foster care.

My Review

Far From the Tree explores relationships and what family really means. Robin Benway’s writing style is simple, but that does not take away from the story, which is full of layers. The story is told in multiple points-of-view of the three protagonists: Maya, Grace, and Joaquin, biological siblings who were given up at birth. Benway covers heavy topics, such as adoption, teen pregnancy, foster care, bullying, alcoholism, and physical abuse as well as positive topics such as family, friendship, love, and the bond between siblings. I really enjoyed exploring the siblings’ stories and how they weaved together. The character development in this book was excellent. All of the protagonists grew emotionally. This is such a wonderful, special, heartbreaking book about what it means to be a family, and I highly recommend it.  It is very emotional and personal, so I think that readers will be able to easily relate to the characters and the story.

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The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher

Now a Major Motion Picture
TODAY Book Club pick
TIME magazine’s #1 Fiction Book of 2012

“The greatest romance story of this decade.” —Entertainment Weekly

-Millions of copies sold-

#1 New York Times Bestseller
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
#1 USA Today Bestseller
#1 International Bestseller
#1 Indie Bestseller

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning-author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

My Review

This is my second time reading this book, and I still love it. I chose this book because I have read John Green’s other works more recently, so I wanted to refresh my memory on this novel. John Green’s writing style is easy to follow and draws you in from the beginning. His character development in this book is really well done, especially the development of Hazel and Augustus. The protagonists are realistic, witty, and smart. They don’t pity themselves, and treat each other like human beings. They also make mistakes and have flaws. Hazel is an excellent narrator, and this book is laugh-out-loud funny. The Fault in Our Stars gives readers a realistic glimpse into the everyday lives of teens with cancer and shows the realities of the ups and downs that go with it. This is a beautiful, heartbreaking, wonderful book.

Because of the heavy themes in this book, I would recommend it for eighth grade and up.

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Strange the Dreamer

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher

An instant New York Times bestseller and Michael L. Printz honor book!Eleven best of lists including an NPR Best Book, a Goodreads Best YA Fantasy and Science Fiction Nominee, and more!

From National Book Award finalist Laini Taylor comes an epic fantasy about a mythic lost city and its dark past.

The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around–and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old, he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the form of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.

What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? And who is the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo’s dreams?

In this sweeping and breathtaking novel by National Book Award finalist Laini Taylor, author of the New York Times bestselling Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, the shadow of the past is as real as the ghosts who haunt the citadel of murdered gods. Fall into a mythical world of dread and wonder, moths and nightmares, love and carnage.

The answers await in Weep.

My Review

This book is stunning! Laini Taylor's writing is so lyrical and magical that I was instantly drawn into the story. It look me longer to read this book because the writing forced me to slow down as I read it, but I didn't mind this. I was able to enjoy the writing and the story because of it. I also enjoyed the character development, especially that of Lazlo Strange. I think he grew the most in the novel, and it was interesting to see the process. Laini Taylor's world building in the novel is exquisite. It is very easy to get into the world and understand how it works. I really enjoyed the characters because their actions aren't just "black and white;" there is some grey in their morals. This, in turn, makes you think about what you would do in their dilemma. Do the sins of the past justify violence in the future? Can monsters become heroes? 

The one critique I have for this novel is that I wish Laini Taylor had included a map. I think it would have helped build the world a bit more. 

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Clockwork Angel

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still. Discover the “compulsively readable” (Booklist) first book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy, prequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series—now with a gorgeous new cover, a map, a foreword, and excusive bonus content! Clockwork Angel is a Shadowhunters novel.

When 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 a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform 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 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.

My Review

I really enjoyed this book! I tried to avoid all the hype because I didn't want to be disappointed. I enjoyed reading about the Shadowhunters in Victorian London, England. This is one of my favorite eras of literature, so it was interesting to see how this novel progressed.

The characters were relatable, and I loved them all. The character development was pretty good, and I think Tessa grew the most. Will is a good character too. One minute you love him, and the next minute he is a jerk. He reminds me of Jace from The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. 

Because this is a prequel series to The Mortal Instruments there are many similarities in the Shadowhunter world of both books. There were a few characters that I recognized. Tessa's ability is something that I haven't read about in Cassandra Clare's books, so it was refreshing to have some variety in the characters' gifts. I am looking forward to jumping right in to Clockwork Prince!

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The Wicked Deep

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher

A New York Times bestseller

Deluxe edition with special embellishments on first printing only.

Hocus Pocus and Practical Magic meets the Salem Witch trials in this haunting story about three sisters on a quest for revenge—and how love may be the only thing powerful enough to stop them.

Welcome to the cursed town of Sparrow…

Where, two centuries ago, three sisters were sentenced to death for witchery. Stones were tied to their ankles and they were drowned in the deep waters surrounding the town.

Now, for a brief time each summer, the sisters return, stealing the bodies of three weak-hearted girls so that they may seek their revenge, luring boys into the harbor and pulling them under.

Like many locals, seventeen-year-old Penny Talbot has accepted the fate of the town. But this year, on the eve of the sisters’ return, a boy named Bo Carter arrives; unaware of the danger he has just stumbled into.

Mistrust and lies spread quickly through the salty, rain-soaked streets. The townspeople turn against one another. Penny and Bo suspect each other of hiding secrets. And death comes swiftly to those who cannot resist the call of the sisters.

But only Penny sees what others cannot. And she will be forced to choose: save Bo, or save herself.

My Review

The Wicked Deep is set in a small town, Sparrow, Oregon, in the present day. It is a paranormal, atmospheric read with magic, a curse, sisters, and love. Even though Sparrow is a haunted town, the "main event" happens in June before the summer solstice. Everyone in town knows that the Swan Sisters return every year to take boys, and they believe in and accept the lore of the Swan Sisters' story. The romance in this book is really good, with a conflict that did not end the way I expected. 

I do have a few critiques. I wish Bo's character had been developed a bit more. I liked him, but he wasn't quite three dimensional. I also didn't think that the complete acceptance of actions in this book was truly realistic. I understand that the people in the town are scared, and they want to end the curse of the Swan Sisters, but ALL of the adults either wanted to kill the girls whose bodies the sisters inhabited (to ultimately kill the sisters) or permitted a lackadaisical attitude toward protecting the boys in town. In real life, I think measures would have been put in place to protect the townspeople, such as banning parties on the night before the sisters' annual return. 

Shea Ernshaw's writing is exquisite, magical, and a little spooky. I read this book in one sitting, and because the book was only 308 pages, it didn't drag in any part of the story. I really identified with Sparrow, Oregon because it is similar to my family home in a small town in Nova Scotia. Because of this, I could easily visualize the fog and the ocean and smell the sea breeze. This story was unique, and I haven't read anything quite like it before. Bonus: the cover is GORGEOUS! Go check it out! 

“Love is an enchantress—devious and wild.

It sneaks up behind you, soft and gentle and quiet, just before it slits your throat.”

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The Cruel Prince

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher: 

An instant New York Times bestseller!

By #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, the first book in a stunning new series about a mortal girl who finds herself caught in a web of royal faerie intrigue.

Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

My Review: 

I'm on the fence about this book. At times, I really like it, and then sometimes I think it is just OK. The fairies in this book are incredibly cruel, to the point that it was hard to read at times. The fairies that go to school with Jude enjoy bullying her to the breaking point. Jude grew a lot in this book; her character development was the best by far. I liked that she finally stood up for herself, but I felt like some of her actions went too far. Overall, I think that she is a strong female character who finally found her voice. There were also a lot of plot twists that were well done. I was not expecting the ending!

I gave this book four stars because I am so indecisive about it. I feel like if I really loved it, there wouldn't be a question of how many stars to give. I will continue with the series, but I don't think this book quite lived up to the hype. 

Trigger Warnings: suicide, physical abuse, bullying

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City of Glass

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher:

Love is a mortal sin, and the secrets of the past are deadly. Plunge into the third installment novel in the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series and “prepare to be hooked” (Entertainment Weekly)—now with a gorgeous new cover, a map, a new foreword, and exclusive bonus content! City of Glass is a Shadowhunters novel.

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 Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters 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 newfound powers to help save the Glass City—whatever the cost?

My Review: 

This was a quick read because it was so action packed. Cassandra Clare's plot in this book is definitely a roller coaster, taking readers through the ups and downs of rising and falling action. I think this book really expanded the Shadowhunters universe, and it also explained many of the mysteries and questions that have been woven into the previous two books, City of Bones and City of Ashes. It was fun to see if my predictions were correct or not. 

I think that this is the best book of the series so far. I didn't find it slow in places, and the character development was excellent. Clary grew the least out of all the characters, but we did get a glimpse of her flaws. I think that this makes her more of a relatable character. Jace grows the most, and it was awesome to see this as well as what drives him. 

There is a HUGE plot twist that was so fun. It is hard to go in depth about the novel because the plot is so interwoven with City of Bones and City of Ashes that it might give away some spoilers. Go check this book out!

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City of Ashes

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher: 

Is love worth betraying everything? Plunge into the second adventure in the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series and “prepare to be hooked” (Entertainment Weekly)—now with a gorgeous new cover, a map, a new foreword, and exclusive bonus content! City of Ashes is a Shadowhunters novel.

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what’s normal when you’re a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who’s becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn’t ready to let her go—especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary’s only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil—and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings—and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures readers back into the dark grip of New York City’s Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

My Review: 
Even though this is book two in the Mortal Instruments series, this novel could be read as its own entity. Readers might not get some of the references, but this book fleshes out the novel and the characters a bit more than the last book. I've heard that Cassandra Clare's writing gets even better as her books go on, and I have to agree. I really enjoyed this book, and I have already started City of Glass. City of Ashes allowed readers an even deeper and more extensive look at the Shadowhunters world and the creatures that inhabit it, including fairies, vampires, and werewolves. The book made me laugh and cry throughout. Because this is such a complex world and the plot threads through all the books, it is hard to write a spoiler-free review. 

I normally don't read books in a series one after the other (except for Harry Potter of course!), but this series keeps me so engaged that I HAVE to read the next book before going on to anything else!

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