The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

Title: The Last Olympian

Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3

Pages: 361

Published: May 5th 2009

Publisher: Hyperion Books

This was an epic ending to the Percy Jackson books. Towards the end I started wondering when the real battle was going to happen and then I realised it had been going on for basically the whole book. All the questions where finally answered and it was a very satisfying ending to such a lovely series. You've got to admire these kids for their bravery, even as some of their parents don't seem to care. Although we mainly followed Percy and his close friends in the other books all of Camp Half Blood got involved in this book as a united force which made it much more fun to read.


Plot Summary:

Most People gets presents on their sixteenth birthday. I get a prophecy that could save or destroy the world.
It happens when you're the son of Poseidon, god of the sea. According to an ancient prophecy, I turn sixteen and the fate of the entire world is on me. But no pressure.
Now Kronos, Lord of the Titans, is beginning his attack on New York City. And the dreaded monster Typhon is also heading our way. So it's me and forty of my demigod friends versus untold evil . . .

Other Books in Percy Jackson and the Olympians:

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2)
The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3)
The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4)
The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5)
The Sword of Hades (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Singer of Apollo (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Stolen Chariot (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Demigod Files (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jacksona and the Bronze Dragon (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)

Other Books by Rick Riordan:

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus #1)
The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2)
The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus #3)
The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4)
The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5)
The Demigod Diaries (The Heroes of Olympus companion book)
The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles #1)
The Throne of Fire (The Kane Chronicles #2)
The Serpent's Shadow (The Kane Chronicles #3)
The Kane Chronicle's Survival Guide (The Kane Chronicles companion book)
The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1)
The Hammer of Thor (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #2)
The Ship of the Dead (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #3)
For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Worlds (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard companion book)
The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1)
The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo #2)
The Burning Maze (The Trials of Apollo #3)
The Son of Sobek (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #1)
The Staff of Serapis (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #2)
The Crown of Ptolemy (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #3)

My Rating:

7/10

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan (2008)

Title: Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth

Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4

Pages: 361

Published: May 6th 2008

Publisher: Hyperion Books

As the fourth book of the series this was a seriously good story. Rick Riordan does not fail in making Greek gods and demigods into fun and charismatic characters. The relationship between Percy and Annabeth is only getting better and both of their characters are really developing, like Annabeth and her architect dreams.

The labyrinth allowed for such grey ideas and storytelling. With the different chambers and corridors and time difference. There was no limit to imagination. I can't wait for the final book.

Plot Summary:

Honestly, blowing up another school was the last thing I wanted to do. As the son of a Greek god, I've had my share of near-death disaster - and now my arch enemy Luke wants to invade our camp via an ancient Labyrinth.If he succeeds, thousands of bloodthirsty monsters will attack. So it's goodbye sunshine, hello darkness as four of us descend into the terrifying underground and beyond...

My Rating:

8/10

Other Books in Percy Jackson and the Olympians:

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2)
The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3)
The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4)
The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5)
The Sword of Hades (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Singer of Apollo (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Stolen Chariot (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Demigod Files (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jacksona and the Bronze Dragon (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)

Other Books by Rick Riordan:

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus #1)
The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2)
The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus #3)
The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4)
The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5)
The Demigod Diaries (The Heroes of Olympus companion book)
The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles #1)
The Throne of Fire (The Kane Chronicles #2)
The Serpent's Shadow (The Kane Chronicles #3)
The Kane Chronicle's Survival Guide (The Kane Chronicles companion book)
The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1)
The Hammer of Thor (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #2)
The Ship of the Dead (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #3)
For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Worlds (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard companion book)
The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1)
The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo #2)
The Burning Maze (The Trials of Apollo #3)
The Son of Sobek (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #1)
The Staff of Serapis (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #2)
The Crown of Ptolemy (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #3)

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (2006)

Title: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1

Pages: 377

Published: May 4th 2005

Publisher: Hyperion Books


As I have promised in my TBR Announcement for Percy Jackson and the Olympians my goal was to read the series this summer and as I didn't know how to start of my June reading I thought it best to start with Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief to get going.

It was a good choice. This book was highly enjoyable and I see why people truly enjoy this series. I wish I had read them when I was younger because although it is suitable for the nineteen-year-old I am, it is initially written for 9-14 year olds and maybe I would have enjoyed it even more back then. But no point mourning the lack of Percy Jackson in my childhood. This book was so great. It's funny, exciting and entertaining.

I love how every day objects are turned magical
and that everything is not over the top supernatural. It's as simple as a magic cap or winged shoes. Makes everything funnier and a little more realistic. Although there is plenty of fighting in Percy Jackson its all written for a younger audience and everything is described with excitement and action. It's not graphic in the way that it's not PG, but it is described well and everything is played out in my head perfectly.

I have heard that people find that a lot of the story is lost if you do not know Greek Mythology. Let me tell you something about my knowledge about Greek Mythology. I know the names Zeus, Poseidon, Hades and Aphrodite. And, that's about it. I never got the opportunity to study the Greek gods in school and haven't read any books about them. I am clueless. But Riordan so cleverly interweaves little facts here and there for the reader to understand the story. Very simplified and interesting. You don't have to know anything of Greek Mythology because Percy will tell you about everything that is relevant. It's brilliant.

So this book was great. I think I may have enjoyed it even more if I'd been younger and I'm so happy I'm reading them now rather than letting them collect dust on my bookshelf. Highly recommend.

Plot Summary:

Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a greek god.

I was just a normal kid, going to school, playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. Now I spend my time battling monsters and generally trying to stay alive.
This is the one where Zeus, God of the Sky, thinks I've stolen his lightning bolt - and making Zeus angry is a very bad idea.


My Rating:
8/10

Other Books in Percy Jackson and the Olympians:

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2)
The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3)
The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4)
The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5)
The Sword of Hades (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Singer of Apollo (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Stolen Chariot (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Demigod Files (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jacksona and the Bronze Dragon (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)

Other Books by Rick Riordan:

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus #1)
The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2)
The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus #3)
The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4)
The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5)
The Demigod Diaries (The Heroes of Olympus companion book)
The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles #1)
The Throne of Fire (The Kane Chronicles #2)
The Serpent's Shadow (The Kane Chronicles #3)
The Kane Chronicle's Survival Guide (The Kane Chronicles companion book)
The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1)
The Hammer of Thor (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #2)
The Ship of the Dead (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #3)
For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Worlds (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard companion book)
The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1)
The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo #2)
The Burning Maze (The Trials of Apollo #3)
The Son of Sobek (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #1)
The Staff of Serapis (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #2)
The Crown of Ptolemy (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #3)

Select by Marit Weisenberg (2017)

Title: Select

Author: Marit Weisenberg

Pages: 352 (Kindle)

Expected publication: Oct 3th 2017

Publisher: Charlesbridge, Teen


This eGalley was given to me by Charlesbridge, Teen vie NetGalley in exchange for the honest review. These are my personal opinions of the book.

If this book had to be compared to anything, in terms of genre, it would be Twilight. It is a YA romance with supernatural/paranormal undertones. Julia, the protagonist is, however, not a vampire, she belongs to a group of people who are genetically different than humans. All their seances are stronger, they are better at everything. And she falls for the normal, mortal boy. I would not consider this a strong sic-fi or supernatural/paranormal book as it seems to focus more on the romantic relationship between Julia and John than the supernatural aspect. However, I very much enjoyed this. It's like a fluffy YA romantic but with a constantly present, yet subtle element of science fiction. I have been looking a book like this forever, that is funny romantic, but not too cliche.

I liked the characters, except Novak (naturally). I felt like he was restricting Julia and had too much power over her. She didn't speak up to him, even as a daughter and I feel like she was unreasonable blamed for things. I would have liked more information about Julia's group of people as I often in the beginning felt just as lost as John if not more. Often the reader was just told that they were different, they had to be subtle or they were better. I felt like I was expected to know everything already. In a way this puts the reader in the situation of John, which is powerful in its own way, but as he only got to know Julia's whole story 53% into the book I felt like I was as well. And it frustrated me for quite a while. In other words, I felt like although it was a first person story Julia wasn't very open to the reader and we only found something out if it was spoken out loud. More insight would have been appreciated. Sometimes the language was a little boring and simple, but the dialogues were very enjoyable.

I very much enjoyed the mind reading. John is the best character with his funny personal remarks and he really brightens it up. His optimistic, humours thoughts were much more successfully written than his negative thoughts, which sometimes felt a little fake even if they would've been said out loud. John definitely made this book much better and with the constant presence of Angus it was even better.

I can't help but wonder if there will be a sequel. It works fine as a stand alone but I do wonder at some loose ends and the very end hinted at the fact that there might be more to told. What about Julia's mum? What about John's vision? The FBI? The utopia? Angus? I need to know what happens next.

Plot Summary:

“It had always been a fact of life that we were biologically different—better—and that it had to be kept secret.”

Seventeen-year-old Julia Jaynes has the perfect life. She’s beautiful, freakishly athletic, and extremely smart. That’s because she comes from a race of highly-evolved humans living in the heart of Austin, Texas.In order to protect their anonymity and preserve their elite society, Julia’s powerful father forces her to suppress her abilities. When she accidentally demonstrates her super human prowess in public, she’s banished to the one place meant to make her feel inferior: public high school. Thrust into the confusion and humiliation of a normal high school, Julia is just trying to keep her head down when John Ford strolls into her life. An outsider and tennis jock, John is immediately attractive to Julia as a curiosity. She can even read his mind. But as Julia's newfound powers over John grow, so do her feelings. When she discovers her father has been hiding dangerous secrets, for the first time in her life, Julia begins to question her restrictive upbringing. Caught between the prejudices of her manipulative father and the allure of an outsider’s life, Julia must decide how she will define herself—and who she will betray.

My Rating:

7/10

Favourite Quote:

"One more set like this, and that will officially be rock bottom. And in front of her. Definition of a shit show. I should be handing out toilet paper." - John

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard (2016)

Title: Glass Sword

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Series: Red Queen #2

Pages: 444

Published: Feb 9th 2016

Publisher: HarperTeen, Orion


This is one of the best sequels I have ever read. I'm sometimes critical towards sequels because there can be such a big change in the plot and narrative between the first and second book, naturally. Sometimes I prefer how a series started out than how it ended up and the first book is usually my favourite. Glass Sword however, does not disappoint in the slightest. It is easily one of the best sequels I have ever read and only adds to the story of the first book.

So many new characters were introduced and I think all of them contributed to the direction this story was taking. I took immense interest in all of them. As for Mare, her character started to scare me towards the end. I didn't truly recognise her and I almost built up a dislike for her behaviour, similar to Cal. Although I am a massive Cal and Mare fan I almost took his side at moments. Not that I didn't understand Mare, and there were good reasons for her behaviour, but naturally I almost stood back in disgust - even though I didn't want too. This is however a positive point. Not all protagonists should be liked, it would be incredibly unrealistic.

The plot has taken an incredibly interesting turn of events and this has truly turned into an action filled adventurous sic-fi. I loved how organised they were in finding new bloods and how they spent time housing them and training them. There were clearly mistakes made on the way and dangers but you'd be surprised how extremely well it was handled by such young people. Praise!

As mentioned above I am the most pleased with the fact that this is such a successful sequel. Red Queen was also extremely good but I'm just very pleasantly surprised by this satisfying sequel.

And on a side note: I totally ship Farley and Shade. No matter the ending.

Plot Summary:

I was born to kill a king, to end a reign of terror before it can truly begin.
Mare Barrow's blood is red, the colour of common folk, but her Silver ability - the power to control lightning - has turned her into a weapon that the Silver court will do anything to destroy.
With no one left to trust, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join the uprising. But Mare is treading a deadly path. Will she shatter under the weight of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?
-back of Book

Favourtie Quote:

"We seem weak because we want to" - Shade from Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

My Rating:

10/10

Other Books by Victoria Aveyard:

Red Queen (Red Queen #1)
Glass Sword (Red Queen #2)
King's Cage (Red Queen #3)
Queen Song (Red Queen novella)
Steel Scars (Red Queen novella)

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (2015)

Title: Red Queen

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Series: Red Queen #1

Pages: 383

Published: Feb 10th 2015

Publisher: HarperTeen, Orion


Bought this book along with the sequel back in 2016 and didn't find time to get into it until. Recently however, I felt this incredible urge to get into it so here I am mind blown and scarred for life. I had expectations of this books or rather I thought I knew what kind of book it was but I was wrong. I was expecting high fantasy, magic and stuff. A little along the lines with Throne of Glass or Queen of the Tearling. I was wrong. This is more along the lines of The Jewel. It is more sic-fi than fantasy and there is plenty technology. I was prepared for technology but it plays a huge part of the plot. Although the cover is not misleading in any way, but rather discrete I was convinced that it was a high fantasy book (I hand't even read the back).

Furthermore, and if you haven't read the book I suggest you skip this paragraph of the review. People were talking all over BookTube about this mind-blowing plot twist in Red Queen. So of course, I'm prepared for this plot twist and I keep it in mind the whole time while I'm reading. And as much as I'd like to ignore the fact that someone is going to betray Mare I start speculating and I wasn't as surprised as I would've been. Lesson for the future: stay away from BookTube. We all know that's not going to happen. I'm just saying, be careful with reading/watching reviews and discussion before you've read the book. You may enjoy it more after you've read it and can truly understand and join in. It's also made me realise that I should probably be careful to not spoil too much for you guys.

This book was a kind of mix of Divergent, Hunger Games, and The Jewel. Except it was better than hunger games and divergent put together. It was so gripping, not a single calm moment but action filled from the first to last page. Read it in two days from literal obsession.

I felt like the characters truly came alive. They were deep and had layers and layers to be explored. No one character could be truly stereotyped and it was refreshing to have such a diverse set of characters. It played with the idea that people are not simply evil or good and that people think approach issues differently.

Absolutely brilliant book. The new great YA sic-fi. I would love to see this on the big screen.

Plot Summary:

This is a world divided by blood. 
The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possessions of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow - a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.
But Mare possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.
Fearful of her potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess. Knowing that one false move will mean her death, Mare must use her new position to bring down the regime - from the inside.
Now Mare has created a game of betrayal and lies.
This is Red against Silver, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart...
- Back of Book

Favourite Quote:

'Anyone can betray anyone'

More Books in the Series:

Red Queen (Red Queen #1)
Glass Sword (Red Queen #2)
King's Cage (Red Queen #3)
Queen Song (Red Queen novella)
Steel Scars (Red Queen novella)

The Reader by M.K. Harkins (2016)

Title: The Reader
Author: M.K. Harkins
Pages: 260 (eBook)
Published: Aug 25th 2016
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing


This Galley was given to me for free in the form of a Kindle Book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This paranormal sci-fi read got me hooked from page one. I absolutely loved it. The plot and idea was very intriguing and it got off to a very exciting start with action right at the first chapter. I loved the concept of the Readers, the Hijackers, and the Seers. I think it was original and had some very interesting history to it. I enjoyed the prediction of the Lost One and the Soul Mate, however I thought the repetition of the term 'Soul Mate' made it sound slightly silly towards the end. Nevertheless I loved the concept of the Soul Mate and the bonding between Ann and Devon. Furthermore, the compound was absolutely lovely with the waterfalls, the hub and the storm and how it worked together  as a home for the Readers. What I would have liked was a bit more time to read about Ann's time in  the compound. The storyline moved so quickly and Ann adapted to her new life so fast that everything felt almost unbelievably quick. I would have enjoyed another hundred pages where the life in the compound could have been developed. It had so much potential, yet I felt that it almost rushed to the end. I would have enjoyed some more reading with a plot this good. A little too short for me personally.

I adored Ann and her abilities and powers. The book was very successful through the use of first person narration and concerning the topic of the book I do not think that it would have been as good if was written in anything else than first person. When Ann wakes up and doesn't even remember her name Archer accidentally addresses her as Ann before she has gained that piece of memory herself. When I first read this I was shocked that the lack of name for the main character had not bothered me. Since it was written in first person I was not concerned about this at first and when her name was announced I realised what an important factor that was for one's personality. There were some great characters and personalities that also could have been developed. Personally I would have enjoyed a little more feud between Archer and Devon regarding Ann, and even Markus. I was team Devon from the moment his name popped up on the page, but I did not catch on the hinting at a plot twist and fell for it completely. There could have been a very successful love-triangle that I think could have been explored even more. The relationship between Ann and Devon went very quickly from hating each other to extreme love. It may have to do with the Soul Mate concept but a longer transition would have been very exciting and perhaps more realistic. Reading from Ann's point of view I learnt a lot of Ann but not as much of the other characters. I would have loved to bond a little more with Lucy and the quarrel between Ann and Susie to be expanded. I think if the book had been longer all the relationships could have been developed and explored more to its full potential. 

Overall I absolutely loved this book. I was glued to my phone. The genre of sic-fi and paranormal was perfect and the original idea had such potential. I think this could have been developed through another hundred pages because I would have loved to read more. I could not judge from the ending whether there will be a sequel or if it simply ended there. Since it resolved as it did I find it hard to see a sequel but I would love to read anything that may suggest that something more happens. After all, they are immortal and anything could happen in their lifetime. 

Plot Summary:

Hunted, shot, and without her memory, eighteen-year-old Ann Baker wakes in shallow water on a deserted Pacific Northwest island. She is soon approached by two young men claiming to be her friends. Something isn’t right, but when gunshots sound, Ann is left with little choice but to allow Devon and Archer to help her escape. Soon she finds herself in their North Bend mountain compound, where the higher evolved humans claim to be mind-readers. While Ann heals, she realizes they believe her to be one of the last and most powerful of all – The Lost One.

Favourite Quote:

'"Things are... things are showing," he said as his hand swept up and down.' - The Reader by M. K. Harkins

My Rating:

8/10
I did love this book, but I think a a greater length would have improved it massively. I couldn't put it down.

Other Books by  M.K. Harkins:

Intentional (Intentional #1)
Unintentional (Intentional #2)

Breaking Braydon
Famous by Default
Taking Tiffany

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices, Book 1) by Cassandra Clare (2016)

Title: Lady Midnight
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: The Dark Artifices #1
Pages: 698
Published: Mar 8th 2016
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books


I got this as soon as I heard it was out. I saw it at WHSmith but didn't have money with me so when I went to Waterstones the day after I bought it. The Waterstones copy had fancy blue edges that I was very pleased with. And then I heard that the WHSmith had fan art in it which I had missed. I got slightly annoyed at myself but then I thought that there is an unlimited amount of fan art online.

It took my a while to adapt to the book. I had just fallen asleep crying the night before from the ending of City of Heavenly Fire and still recovering from it not to mention that Emma and Julian had been 12 years old in City of Heavenly Fire and they were all of a sudden 17. After a few chapters though, I was hooked.

I was afraid that the characters might be dull and the plot less unique after two series set in the same Shadowhunter world. But fear not! This book was sooooo good. All the characters were special and unique and had really strong personalities. I loved little details such as Ty's way of thinking, Dru's love for horror movies, Tavvy's need for a push animals, Liv's talent in maths not to mention Julian's passion for painting and Emma's fear for running and fondness for vintage clothes. The plot was crazy good, full of action and tension like in all Clare's books. 

I absolutely adore Mark Blackthorn and I started to ship him and Christina until Perfect Diego turned up and ruined it. I loved their moments of talking and from the beginning I thought Christina and Mark may develop a bond which he couldn't with his siblings or Emma. His torn emotions for his family and the Hunt was great. And I thought for a good while that he might choose the Hunt (it wouldn't have surprised me considering what Clare has done to us in the past) but I think it was evident after the whipping that he wasn't.

The whipping itself was an amazing scene. I'm just gonna leave it at that.

The plot surrounding the poems and Malcolm were all really clever. I must have been as confused as everyone else. And I like that no dramatic irony is created, but that we know just as much as the characters and find out with them.

Finally, I am so grateful that Clare keeps returning to her other characters and we get to catch up with their lives. Simon and Izzy getting married. OMG!!!! And Malec having children. Everything about it is just wonderful. That Jem and Tessa keep on turning up and the link to Kit Rook. The only pain is seeing Jem and Tessa without Will. Hopefully though we will get a glimpse of him in The Last Hours, the new trilogy that Cassandra Clare is coming out with in 2017.

The Infernal Devices will forever be my favourite series from Cassandra Clare because nothing can beat Wessa and I'm in love with Victorian London. However, this book had brought different values to the spotlight. In all her books, themes such as love, friendship and betrayal have been precent. But never has family been so important as in Lady Midnight. This plot surrounded around family and the importance of it and I feel like that aspect of life can often be overlooked in fantasy or science fiction. If you want to cover that theme you often have to turn to the YA contemporary genre, but this was interweaved so well in the plot and through the characters.

Plot Summary:

In a kingdom by the sea...

In a secret world where half-angel warriors are sworn to fight demons, parabatai is a sacred word. A parabatai is your parter in battle. A parabatai is your best friend. Parabatai can be everything to each other - but they can never fall in love.

Emma Carstairs is a warrior, a Shadowhunter. She lives for battle. Alongside her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, she patrols Los Angeles, where vampire party on the Sunset Strip, and dearies - the most powerful of supernatural creatures - teeter on the edge of war with Shadowhunters. When bodies of human and dearies are found murdered in the same way Emma's parents were when she was a child an uneasy alliance is formed. This is Emma's chance for revenge and Julian's chance to get back his brother Mark, who is being held by the dearie Courts. All they have to do is solve the murders within two weeks... and before the murderer targets them.

Their search takes Emma from sea caves full of sorcery to a dark lottery where death is dispensed. And each clue she unravels uncovers more secrets. What has Julian been hiding from her all these years? Why does Shadowhunter Law forbid parabatai to fall in love? Who really killed her parents - and can she bear to know the truth?

My Rating:

10/10
One of the best. So looking forward for the next book.

Other Books in this Series:

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1)
Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices #2)

Other books by Cassandra Clare:

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1)
City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2)
City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #3)
City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4)
City of Lost Souls(The Mortal Instruments #5)
City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6)

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)
Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2)
Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3)

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments, Book 5) by Cassandra Clare (2012)

Title: City of Lost Souls
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: The Mortal Instruments #5
Pages: 535
Published: May 8th 2012
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books


I started reading The Mortal Instruments before the film had come out which was a couple of years ago, but I didn't finish the series. At the time the final book "City of Heavenly Fire" had not come out and this book was therefore the last one out so far. And I was not quite ready to let go of the characters yet so I decided to wait until the sixth one had come out until I would read it. But then when the sixth one did come out I hadn't read the fifth book and I took a break of almost three years before I decided to pick up the book again this June. I am so happy I decided to finish of "The Mortal Instruments" though because I've really missed the Shadowhunter world and returning to the series was like saying hi to a long lost friend.

I have to admit that I was lost at times and had to remind myself of what had happened in the previous books, but I soon caught on.

I had a really hard time accepting Jace. I know that he was bound to Sebastian and therefore acted differently and Clary kept on reminding us that but I still thought he was annoying. I missed Jace and after four books about him where I really liked his character I felt as though he had completely disappeared. This Jace was different and not what I remembered and though I knew it wasn't really him I couldn't accept that as an excuse. Spoiler! In the scene towards the end when he has managed to tear his mark that binds him to Sebastian and comes into Clary's room telling her that he's him again I thought I would melt. I was so relieved that he was himself and that the actual Jace that I remembered after my long break of reading the books still existed.

Simon and Isabelle are by far my favourite characters. I have nothing against Clary and Jace, I absolutely love them, don't get me wrong. But they are the perfect couple. He's the perfect hero and she's the perfect protagonist and they're just perfect with perfect obstacles that they handle perfectly and I love it. Simon and Isabelle however have a relationship which I ship more however, because it's so real and believable. Isabelle has the issue of admitting that she loves Simon and Simon is shy. Simon is not the ripped romantic hero with amazing super powers and that makes him perfect. Because despite being undead and a vampire he's so completely human.

I love Magnus's appearance in "The Mortal Instruments" and "The Infernal Devices" and his relationship with Alec is awesome. I understand that Magnus got upset about Alec visiting Camille, but I also understood why Alec did it. Magnus walking away from Alec at the end upset me so much and I was seriously worried that that relationship would be over forever. 

I absolutely ship Jordan and Maia and I think Jordan is absolutely adorable. During the early books when Maia was first introduced to us I was torn between shipping Simon and Isabelle and shipping Simon and Maia. But as Jordan stepped into the picture all problems were solved and Simon and Isabelle may seriously be my OTP at the moment (this changes over time guys, so this statement may pop up again with a new couple in the future).

Plot Summary:

"What price is too high to pay, even for love? when Jace and Clary meet again, Clary is horrified to discover that the demon Lilith's magic has bound her beloved Jace together with her evil brother Sebastian, and that Jace has become a servant of evil. The Clave is out to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. As Alec, Magnus, Simon, and Isabelle wheedle and bargain with Seelies, demons, and the merciless iron Sisters to try to save Jace, Clary plays a dangerous game of her own. The price of losing is not just her own life, but Jace's soul. She's willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost?

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series." - Goodreads

Favorite Quote:

"Speaking of hope. Did you see that shot Alec got off with his bow thats my boyfriend." - Magnus

My Rating:

9/10

The only reason this got a lower rating than the others is because I could not stand Jace's behaviour when he was bound to Sebastian. The lack of the actual Jace was painful.

Other Books in these Series:

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, Book 1)

City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, Book 2)

City of (The Mortal Instruments, Book 3)

City of (The Mortal Instruments, Book 4)

City of (The Mortal Instruments, Book 5)

City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments, Book 6)

Other Books by Cassandra Clare:

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1)

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, Book 2)

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, Book 3)

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices Book 1)
Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices Book 2)

This review is also available on YouTube here.

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, Book 1) by Cassandra Clare (2007)

Title: City of Bones
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: The Mortal Instruments #1
Pages: 485
Published: Mar 27th 2007
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books


It took me a while to actually start reading this. A few of my friends had read it and when one of them said 'she goes to this club and sees someone get murdered, but no one else can see them' I kinda felt 'um, ok, don't know if this is my kinda book'. But when I read it I got a whole new experience than that.

I read the Clockwork Trilogy first because, well, it takes place before The Mortal Instruments (except Clockwork Princess had not yet come out at that time).

Cassandra Clare has such imagination! This isn't just sci-fi. It's well thought through and the things that link the book together with the Infernal Devices is just really clever. Things like the family names, the objects and the how it's hidden. Everything is very well thought through. Thumbs up for that!!

I borrowed the books at the school library so I didn't even have to wait until I could go buy it, they were right there. Now, I've bought the whole series so they stand untouched on my book shelf and my mum keeps on reminding me that I have this whole unread series at home and I'm like 'no, I've read them, I read them at school, I just like to have my own copies, especially of the books I like'. I have to admit though, I prefer a bookshelf with physically read books that books that look brand new. Yet, I can't just take the books and bend the spine to make them look read (they're still so pretty) because I haven't, not that specific copy you know. I guess I'll just have to re-read them. I'm weird that way. Really weird.

I opened the book up a while ago just to read the first sentence and get that flashback for a moment and I realised that Clary is only 15! FIFTEEN!! I'm eighteen. Almost makes me feel like I should read adult books right now and I kinda want to at moments, but can't let go of YA fiction quite yet. Is it ok to still be reading YA books when you're like 25, cause I bet I will  be, no doubt.

Plot Summary: 

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even the smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

Favorite Quote:

"The boy never cried again, and he never forgot that he'd learned: that to love is to destroy, and that to be loved is to be the one destroyed."

My Rating:

10/10

Other Books in these Series:

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, Book 1)

City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, Book 2)

City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments, Book 3)

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, Book 4)

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments, Book 5)

City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments, Book 6)

Other Books by Cassandra Clare:

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1)

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, Book 2)

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, Book 3)

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices, Book 1)
Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices, Book 2)

The Awakening by K. E. Ganshert (2015)

Title: The Awakening

Author: K.E. Ganshert

Series: The Gifting #2

Pages: 314 (Kindle)

Published: Jul 1st 2015

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Okay, so I bought this book as soon as I'd finished the first one. This book is thought through so well. I was really hooked. The hub is amazing and the characters are so interesting. I love the development between Tess and Luka and how Tess keeps on looking for her grandma.

The background stuff about the gifting is so cool. The Shields, The Linkers, The Cloaks and the Keepers along with the Fighters is really clever. The dream space is such a good idea and how they startle to get out of dreams. I'm so happy that Tess is special in the way that she is a Linker and a Fighter and that Luka is her Keeper. Could it get anymore perfect?!

I'm so grateful I even found this book, and the first for free on iBooks! It is to the same quality as Divergent and The Hungergames. No, I'm serious. I think it could be a really cool film, for real. It's real film material.

I have this feeling about trilogies and please feel free to comment, because I think it is a very interest concept (whether it is intentional or nor not it is a continuous pattern). Trilogies always start nice which a disequilibrium that is disturbing. Tess thinks she's mad and tries to make it through high school as she goes to her therapist and meets Luka. Tris is divergent and goes to get trained as a dauntless. Katniss gets selected for the Hungergames and makes her way through. However in the second book things get out of control. Tess and Luke escape. Tris and Four are on the run. (All these four letter names!) Katniss' war with Snow starts with the 75th Hungergames. And then in the third book is kind of just the same as the second in a way that it continues on this war. This is were the trilogy has totally moved on from the first book. It is nothing like the first book. Tess will never go back to high school. Tris will never go back to abnegation. And Katniss has no District 12 to go back to. I get this feeling of loss for the first book. Kinda miss the "cozy" feeling of Tess at high school, Tris in Dauntless training and Katniss in the regular Hungergames. Do you get me? Of course this is all part of the trilogy and it has to go this way or we would get bored and things develop and so on. But I was reading the third book of the Gathering (the book after this) and I realised that some characters will never show up again. They've moved on. And it's this strange feeling of for boding because you can never go back and nowadays books end pretty badly (and realistically I guess). Anyone who agrees or disagrees? Please feel free to comment. I don't know why I brought it up here of all posts but there you go. Might repeat it again separately some other time.

Plot Summary:

Tess Eckhart isn’t crazy. She’s not suffering from psychosis. She and Luka Williams are part of The Gifting. Before they can find out what that means, the man with all the answers turns up dead. The only thing he left behind? A few patient files that lead to the nation’s most lawless city.

With authorities chasing them, Luka and Tess escape into the very heart of peril and against all odds, find an underground community of people just like them. They aren’t gathered together for the sole purpose of survival, either. They have a plan and a purpose—to awaken as many people with The Gifting as possible. It’s dangerous and deadly work. Tess wants to help. Luka is desperate to keep her safe—a task that proves increasingly difficult as Tess’s gifting comes to light.

Is Tess Eckhart the One they’ve been waiting for? The One who can save them all?

Favourite Quote:

"A person can choose not to believe it, but that doesn’t make their soul go away. It’s there, whether they want to acknowledge it or not. The supernatural realm is just as real as the physical one, only you can’t see it. It’s the realm of good and evil, light and dark. From everything we can gather, these two forces are at war, and in order to join the battle, passageways are required." - Link

"That last option should make me rejoice, but I am a selfish creature." - Tess

"It’s true when they say knowledge equals power. After what I learned in the cafeteria, I feel like I have a handful of it in my back pocket.

And I want more." - Tess

My Rating:
10/10.
I cannot stress enough how much I love these books.

Other Books In These Series:
The Gifting (The Gifting Book 1)
The Awakening (The Gifting Book 2)
The Gathering (The Gifting Book 3)

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (2005)

Title: Twilight

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Series: The Twilight Saga #1

Pages: 498

Published: Oct 5th 2005 

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

So when I was 10 Twilight came out as a film. I watched and decided to go straight to the book store to get it. Yes I know, I was probably fat too young to be reading about sexy, blood thirst vampires, but there you go. My mum decided to read them as well so we had our own little fandom together.

Nowadays I feel a little embarrassed to say that I was crazy about the books. Because people loved them and then they hated them and for some reason my class mates loved to hate them. I read them anyways. I did read the first books in Swedish because 1) I was 10 and 2) when I went tot buy it they only had the Swedish version in stock (which for some reason is translated to "If I Could Dream"). I do have the books in both languages as well however, and I've read the first one in English so please don't judge my 10-year-old me.

Although I hate to say that I was head over heals for the books, it's the truth. I look back remembering my poset covered room and all the things I bought that had any relationship with the books or films. The book's are that good I like to think. But then, they were. They were bloody amazing at the time, or I wouldn't have covered my room in posters and bought every magazine that featured gossip about it.

I guess I don't like to admit that I had a vampire period growing up. Yes, I read the Vampire Diaries as well and watched (have to catch up by the way).

Plot Summary:

About three things I was absolutely positive.

First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him - and I didn't know how dominant that part of him might be - that thirsted for my blood.

And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

Favourite Quote:

It was such a long time ago that I don't remember one that stood out to be honest.

My Rating:

7/10

It has lost it spark and I'm not sure if I was sane or not at the time. It was definitely good at the time though. 

Other Books In These Series:
New Moon (The Twilight Saga #2)
Eclipse (The Twilight Saga #3)
Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga #4)

This review is also available on YouTube here.

The Gifting by K. E. Ganshert (2015)

Title: The Gifting

Author: K.E. Ganshert

Series: The Gifting #1

Pages: 322

Published: Jun 1st 2015

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

OMG, I just read an amazing book. Like really cool. I'm dying. So I was looking for free books on iBooks and I found this one. For free! I was shocked because I\it looked pretty serious, like you know, not one of those free books on iBooks that are rubbish. Never judge a book by its prize!!! So well, it looked so intriguing. Again don't judge a book by its cover. But really this book looked like it met my standards. I know think I really would have wanted this book to have a place on my shelf in my bedroom, but when it's free and you don't have too much money to spend you have to convince yourself that in the end it's about the content.

So it was wicked. It almost scared me at places (I'm really easily scared), but more like creeped me out. Not like horror. Just creepy. Abnormal. Literally.

The book was very well written. Chapters ending at the right point. The characters had the right attitude. I really  felt attached to Tess. Like she was a really good friend and I was intrigued. Furthermore, Luka was perfect. What else can you wish for. Don't have anything else to say about that. I love the relationship between Leela and Tess. I think it's really cute and real. Leela is kind, caring and fun, she's human and I think that's vital. I think often in books, the friends are not paid enough attention to or rather they are not really given a personality. They are either really girly in order to make the protagonist not girly at all (because somehow that makes them more special) or just vague somewhere in the background in order for the protagonists to appear to have a high school life. But Leela is given a personality, whether it's girly or not, she is still human, and I really appreciate that.

Plot Summary:

In a world where no supernatural excises, Tess Eckhart is convinced she's going crazy. After her complete freakout at a high school party, her parents worry she might be right. So much that they pack their bags and move across the country, next to nationally-nenown facility for the mentally ill.

Tess is determined to fit into her new school, despite the whispers and stares. But when it comes to Luke Williams, a reluctantly popular boy in her class, she's unused to a stare that intense. Then the headaches starts, and the seemingly prophetic dreams that haunt her at night. As Tess tries harder to hide them, she becomes increasingly convinced that Luka knows something - that he might somehow be responsible.

But what if she's wrong? What if Luka Williams is the only thing separating her from a madness to terrifying to fathom?

Favourite Quote: 

"Just because a lot of people believe something doesn't make it true"

My Rating:

10/10
Guys, I was hooked. If anything, this reaches the standard of The Hungergames and Divergent. It might just take some time for people to realise.

Other Books In These Series:

The Gifting (The Gifting Series Book One)

The Awakening (The Gifting Series Book Two)

The Gathering (The Gifting Series Book Three)

The first book only came out in June 2015 so I'm surprised that all the books are already out, but that doesn't matter, cause that just means I can finish them all ASAP.

Get the first book on iBooks now for free while you can! The rest are just £3.99 which, tbh, isn't a lot at all cause that means you can get both books for the price of one at Waterstones.

Airel: The Awakening by Aaron Patterson and Chris White (2012)

Title: Airel

Author: Aaron M. Patterson, Chris White

Series: The Awakening #1

Pages: 186

Published: Aug 31st 2011

Publisher: StoneHouse Ink

As you know from my previous post two days ago I downloaded loads of free books from iBooks to have something to read during Christmas without having to bring loads of heavy hard covers. Most of the free ones are the first book in a series where the following books cost money (obviously). Most of them are also paranormal. So I thought, why not. I haven't read paranormal in a while so lets give that a chance. Just because they're free on iBooks and I haven't seen it at Waterstones doesn't mean they are real books. Plus this one had gotten pretty good reviews on Goodreads, and people on Goodreads tend to read a lot so why not?

The book was well, not the best one I've read. Definiately. But I read it in two days and in that time I had time to study and go skiing from morning to afternoon so I've got to get myself some credit. Ok, the book wasn't very long, so I guess I don't deserve as much credit, but the book wasn't amazing. I've read far better books, but maybe that's because I'd never heard about the book and didn't take it as seriously.

The book was written by two authors, Aaron Patterson and Chris White, and I was pretty impressed by how well they'd written it. It can be hard to write a book together with someone else I can imagine. I believe (and if you know the correct facts please correct me) that Aarone Patterson wrote the chapters about Airel in present day and that Chris White wrote the chapters about the Gods in Arabia. Why? Because Patterson's name is written first on the cover in bigger letters and the first chapter is about Airel and there are far more chapters about her. I have the feeling that the book is more about her than the fallen angel Kreios in Arabia 1250 B.C.

So what did I think and why? It was vague. I felt like Airel's personality wasn't properly explored and I didn't get a chance to know her. She's the average girl. Fine. But there needs to be something that stands out. All I really know about her as a person is: she likes coconut latte, she drives a Civic and her best friend is called Kate. I felt like she wouldn't tell the reader about herself and almost like the author didn't quite know her but wanted to make her seem like a underestimated teenage girl that the reader should like. I didn't feel that way. As a matter of fact I didn't really feel anything towards her. The only thing that seemed special about her was that she felt that she was stupid for falling for a boy so quickly and for throwing up all the time. I just didn't buy it. She didn't seem real enough for me.

She met prince charming in the first chapter. The FIRST chapter. I felt like I didn't get an introduction, no chance to bond with her. And Michael and her. They didn't have a problem to fall for each other. In my opinion a good romance (and every book needs a little of it) needs to build up, and it needs chemistry. But this romance didn't have that. Michael practically announced to Airel that he liked her and Airel pretty much fell head over heels for him at first sight. It felt, fake, artificial. Well, not real.

However, I can't say that it wasn't fun to read their chapters. I mean, yes I enjoyed that they went to the mall together and had lunch and that they spoke in the car, but I found the killer even more interesting. That is what caught my attention (and I really like romances) so I was shocked to find that the whole she-is-changing-and-a-killer-knows-"what"-she-is much more thrilling than the rest of the book. Why she left the theatre to go the bathroom in the middle of the movie when she saw the killer I don't understand. Stick to your friends mate! Scream, call 911, I don't care, but don't go to the bathroom. Sometimes characters do decisions that are dangerous and I wouldn't have done, but this. This is just pure stupidness. But I guess that added to the thrill. I don't know.

Furthermore, what I don't get is why she didn't tell her parents. Maybe I'm the only one, but when I unexpectedly break a glass and cut myself to them miraculously heal in a sec I would freak out. Like actually freak out. I would rush into my parents room and tell them. Maybe I'm really attached to my mum and the rest of you agree with Airel or she's being stupid. However, I suppose part of reading is to get away from parents where characters make their own choices and are not influenced by them all the time, but well, I don't know.

So about the dual narrative. I liked it, and I hope it will make sense in the end. My conclusion is that the Kreios' infant daughter has something to do with Airel why else would she had gotten born. If the daughter wash't meaningful in some way we would have just followed Kreios on his journey. I felt it was harder to keep concentrated on these chapters because there wasn't much dialogue (which bored me a little) and it seemed so far off. Although I felt that Airel was vague I sill connected with her better than Kreios and I enjoy fantasy. I really do.

Plot Summary:

All Airel ever wanted was to be normal, to disappear into the crowd. But bloodlines can produce surprises, like an incredible ability to heal. Then there is Michael Alexander, the new guy in school, who is impossibly gorgeous... and captivated by her. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she can hear pages turning, and another, older story being written. It is the story of an ancient family, of great warriors, of the Sword of the Light, and the struggle against an evil so evil, so far-reaching, that it threatens everything. Airel knew that change would be an inevitable part of life. But can she hold on when murder and darkness begins to close in and take away everything she loves? Will she have what it takes when the truth is finally revealed?

Favourite Quote(s):

"How would I know? Thanks a lot. I'll tell you how. It's because I watch lots of movies. It's love at first sight. You and Michael are like Maria and Tony in West Side Story" - Kim

Her confidence is so enjoyable.

My Rating:

4/10

All books can't be great. If the crazy good ones deserve 10s then I'm afraid this one has a bit to go.

I don't know if I'll buy the rest of the books. There are six books and I can get the whole series for £5.99 (which is less than one hard copy book from the store). I don't know if it will be worth it and I'll be positively surprised or if I'll get disappointed. So I think I'll read the other books I've got downloaded and then choose the series which seem the most promising.

I've written loads. Sorry. I suppose it's easier to write when you have something to evaluate and explain your feelings about.