In July Walker Books are going to be issuing brand new versions of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series hoping to attract new fans to the series. I'm sure most of you have probably already seen this news but these new covers are so stunning that I just have to share them with you!
Just check out these beauties:
City of Bones & City of Ashes
City of Glass & City of Fallen Angels
City of Lost Souls & City of Heavenly Fire
What do you think? Aren't they stunning? In fact, I love them so much that even though I already have signed copies of most of the series I'm going to be seriously tempted to buy this version too! Who else is going to be buying the new versions?
I absolutely loved Sarah J Maas's debut novel Throne of Glass (read my review here) and have been looking forward to getting my hands on the sequel Crown of Midnight ever since I finished the last page! Unfortunately we still have a little while to wait (the UK release date is the 15th of August) but the cover has now been revealed so I wanted to share it with you:
In case you haven't already seen it here is the blurb for Crown of Midnight:
Eighteen-year-old Celaena Sardothien is bold, daring and beautiful – the perfect seductress and the greatest assassin her world has ever known. But though she won the King’s contest and became his champion, Celaena has been granted neither her liberty nor the freedom to follow her heart. The slavery of the suffocating salt mines of Endovier that scarred her past is nothing compared to a life bound to her darkest enemy, a king whose rule is so dark and evil it is near impossible to defy. Celaena faces a choice that is tearing her heart to pieces: kill in cold blood for a man she hates, or risk sentencing those she loves to death. Celaena must decide what she will fight for: survival, love or the future of a kingdom. Because an assassin cannot have it all . . . And trying to may just destroy her.
Love or loathe Celaena, she will slice open your heart with her dagger and leave you bleeding long after the last page of the highly anticipated sequel in what is undeniably THE hottest new fantasy series.
What do you think of the cover? I LOVE it and I'm now even more excited to get my hands on the book! This goes so well with the UK cover of Throne of Glass (see left) but I think I love the bright reds even more than I liked the blues of the previous cover.
Here is a bit more information about the series in case you've not started reading it yet (links take you to my reviews)
Fans of Michael Grant will be pleased to know he is visiting the UK next week and will be making a number of public appearances. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend any of the events myself but I've included the details below in case anyone is interested:
Wednesday 24th April - Waterstones Piccadilly
6.30pm
In conversation with journalist Lucy Mangan
Saturday 27th April - signing at Muswell Hill bookshop
4pm- 5pm
72 Fortis Green Rd London, Greater London N10 3HN
Monday 29th April - Waterstones Plymouth (65-69 George Street, PL1 1RJ)
6.30 – 7.30pm
Talk
Thursday 2nd May - Eason O’Connell, Dublin
6pm
Talk and Q & A
Friday 3rd May - Eason Dundrum, Dublin
4pm
public signing
You can find out more about Michael Grant's books on his website
Have you seen the latest trailer for the City of Bones movie? OMG it looks so good & I'm just dying to see it when it comes out!! For once they're releasing a film of a book that I've already read so I don't have any catching up to do (I still haven't managed to read or watch The Host or Beautiful Creatures so I'm falling really far behind LOL!).
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I can't write a news post without including the first teaser trailer for the Catching Fire movie! I loved the Hunger Games film so can't wait for this to hit the big screens (although I really should make sure I read the book before then LOL). I'm sure most of you have already seen this but just in case you haven't here it is:
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Last but by no means least did you see the fantastic video posted on the USA Today website revealing the title for the third and final book in Veronica Roth's Divergent series? I'm a huge fan of this series (Hooray for Team Candor UK) so I can't wait to get my hands on the last book! What do you think of the title Allegiant? According to Dictionary.com this is the definition of allegiant:
We already know that Tris is extremely loyal to her friends and the people she cares about but what do you think the title means for the end of the series? Do you think it gives us any clues about what is going to happen next? How do you think the title fits with the rest of the series (Divergent & Insurgent)? I'm a little disappointed that the new title doesn't end in ENT but when you actually say Allegiant out loud I think it fits and if you say all three titles one after the other it flows quite nicely.
Since I've stumbled across quite a few movie trailers recently I thought it might be nice to share them here & find out which ones you're all looking forward to watching.
The Hobbit - December 2012
I have to say the one I'm most excited about is The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, I've read the book several times over the years (in fact I must re-read it soon before the film comes out!) and have always been a massive fan of this and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I love the LotR films so I have very high hopes that The Hobbit will be just as good if not better and watching the following trailers has only increased my excitement!
Warm Bodies - February 2013
I have to admit I'm not so sure about Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion, the fact that there is a romance between a human girl and the zombie who ate her boyfriend made me feel more than a little squeamish when I read the book (you can read my review here). However in spite of not being keen on the romance I did find that there was something incredibly compelling about the book, it was very well written and really made you think about the things that are important and what it is that makes us human. From the trailer it looks like the film stays very true to the book (although you can never be 100% sure of that until you've see the whole thing) and I am very curious about it. I don't think I'll be booking advance tickets for as soon as this one comes out but if the reviews are good then I might just give it a chance.
Beautiful Creatures - February 2013
I already posted the trailer for Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl but I couldn't really post about films I'm excited about without mentioning it again. Now the Beautiful Creatures series is one I've been wanting to read for ages but for some reason have never got around to. It looks like I'm going to have to hurry up and read at least the first book though because I don't want to miss the movie! Don't forget I currently have a UK giveaway for all 4 books in the Beautiful Creatures series that you can enter here (giveaway closes on the 5th of December)
The Host - March 2013
The Host by Stephenie Meyer is another one of those books that I bought years ago but have never got around to reading. I'm not even sure why because I've heard really good things about it & I read the Twilight series multiple times before I started blogging (don't judge, I know the series isn't perfect and not everyone loves it but it got me back into reading again after a long break so it'll always have a special place in my heart!). Anyway, I think the film looks awesome so it's another book I need to hurry up and read!
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones - August 2013
It may not be out until August but I'm already incredibly excited about City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, I love the books (read my review of City of Bones here) and think the film will be fantastic! I have a feeling that with so many fans of the series out there this is going to be one of the must see summer smash hits.
There really are some awesome book to movie adaptations coming out next year aren't there! Of course I'm also really looking forward to Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, I couldn't find a trailer for that one yet though but I'll be sure to post it on the blog when I come across it. Are there any other films coming out that I've forgotten about? Which of these are you most excited about?
Amid the chaos of war, the Shadowhunters must decide to fight with the vampires, werewolves and other Downworlders - or against them. Meanwhile, Jace and Clary have their own decision to make: should they pursue the love they know is forbidden?
The Mortal Instruments Series: City of Bones City of Ashes
City of Glass
City of Fallen Angels
City of Lost Souls (2012)
City of Heavenly Fire (2013)
The Infernal Devices Series: (Prequel Series)
Clockwork Angel
Clockwork Prince
Clockwork Princess (2012)
Review:
I have been really enjoying Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series and City of Glass was no exception. I really can't work out why it took me so long to get started on this series but at least it has meant no long wait between the first few books! There is so much going on in this book that there is never a dull moment and despite the fact that there are over 500 pages I didn't want to put it down until I'd finished. It's quite an achievement when an author can keep me gripped all the way through such a long book.
Clary has been through a lot since she found out the truth about her family and the world of Shadowhunters and things aren't likely to get better any time soon. Her mother is in a coma, her father wants to take over the world and it turns out that the love of her life just happens to be her brother, not to mention the fact that her best friend has been turned into a vampire - no things aren't looking good at the moment! Now she faces having to break the Shadowhunter law to enter the City of Glass and try to find a way to both save her mother and defeat Valentine.
I don't want to go into details of the plot because I would hate to spoil any of the twists and turns for you if you haven't read the book yet. I will say that we get to meet some fab new characters - some of whom aren't quite what they seem - along with learning more about the characters we already love. The story is action packed, funny in places and also heart breaking at times and although I guessed some of the things that happened others completely shocked me. I loved developments between Clary and Jace as they try to come to terms with the fact that they are brother and sister. There are some fantastic moments between Alec and Magnus (I love them as a couple!) and I was pleased with the way things turn out between Simon and Clary.
If you're one of the few people who haven't started this series yet then it's one I would highly recommend and I can't wait to pick up City of Fallen Angels and the spin off Infernal Devices series!
Source: Purchased
Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.
I thought it would be fun to start spotlighting new releases that different publishers have coming up over the next few months for us to look forward to. I'm constantly looking for new books to add to my wish list and thought it would be a nice way of spreading the bookish love with other bloggers. So stepping into the spotlight today we have . . .
Walker publish a fab selection of YA books and today I'm going to be showcasing quite a few books you can already get your hands on along with a December release that pretty much everyone I know is already incredibly excited about! If you'd like more information check out the Walker website or their Under Cover Reads blog.
First up we have the 4th book in Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series City of Fallen Angels. I only started reading this series recently but I loved the first two books City of Bones and City of Ashes (click on the links to read my reviews) and am very excited about the next couple of books. You can find out more about the series at Cassandra Clare's website or on the Mortal Instruments website.
Love, blood, betrayal and revenge - the stakes are higher than ever in the fourth book in the international bestselling Mortal Instruments sequence.
The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and - most importantly of all - she can finally call Jace her boyfriend. But nothing comes without a price. Someone is murdering the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine's Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second, bloody war. And when Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.
If you haven't started the Mortal Instruments series yet then now is an ideal time to pick up the box set of the first 3 books.
A gorgeous box set of the first three books in the Mortal Instruments series. Clary Fray is seeing things: vampires in Brooklyn and werewolves in Manhattan. Irresistibly drawn towards a group of sexy demon hunters, Clary encounters the dark side of New York City - and the dangers of forbidden love.
If you're a fan of the Mortal Instruments series you've probably already read Clockwork Angel, the first book in Cassandra Clare's prequel Infernal Devices series. I have a copy of this one but need to catch up with the Mortal Instruments books before I start reading it. Clockwork Prince, the second book in the Infernal Devices series is being released on the 6th of December and I know a lot of people who are already incredibly excited about it. You can find out more on the Infernal Devices website.
Second in the New York Times bestselling urban fantasy series set in Victorian London. Still reeling from her terrifying confrontation with the Magister and her brother's betrayal, Tessa Gray is drawn ever deeper into the Shadowhunter's dark underworld of demons and danger. In a desperate attempt to help her friends, Tessa tries to uncover the truth about the Magister and learns that he blames the Shadowhunters for the murder of his parents nearly a half century ago. But who were his parents, and why did the Shadowhunters kill them? Determined to unravel the secrets of his past, Tessa, Will and Jem journey to mist-shrouded Yorkshire, only to encounter corrupt Shadowhunters more intent on burying the past than finding the Magister - a past that holds the key not only to the enemy's motivations and weakness, but to the secret of what Tessa really is and what she was born to do. Meanwhile, Tessa's feelings for Jem and Will are growing more complicated, and soon she is forced to acknowledge that any choice she makes will either save the Shadowhunters of London - or end them for ever.
In case you haven't already seen it here is the Clockwork Angel trailer:
A book that I've been really excited about since I first heard of it is the Steampunk! An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories edited by Kelly Link and Gavin J. Grant. This includes short stories written by some fantastic authors - Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Cory Doctorow, Shawn Cheng, Ysabeau Wilce, Delia Sherman, Elizabeth Knox, Kelly Link, Garth Nix, Christopher Rowe, Kathleen Jennings, Dylan Horrocks, Holly Black and M. T. Anderson and I can't wait to read it.
In the first major YA steampunk anthology, fourteen top storytellers push the genre's mix of sci-fi, fantasy, history, and adventure in fascinating new directions.
Imagine an alternate universe where romance and technology reign. Where tinkerers and dreamers craft and re-craft a world of automatons, clockworks, calculating machines, and other marvels that never were. Here, fourteen masters of speculative fiction, including two graphic storytellers, embrace the steampunk genre's established themes and refashion them in surprising ways and settings as diverse as Appalachia, Ancient Rome, future Australia, and alternate California. The result is an anthology that defies its genre even as it defines it.
The next book I'm going to mention is Blessed by Cynthia Leitich Smith, this is the third book in the Tantalize series which is another series that looks great but I haven't got around to starting yet. If you've read any of the books in the series (Tantalize, Eternal or of course Blessed) I'd love to know what you think of them. Check out Cynthia Leitich Smith's website if you'd like more information.
Quincie Morris, teen restaurateur and neophyte vampire, is in the fight of her life. Even as she adjusts to her new appetites, she must clear her best friend and true love, the hybrid-werewolf Kieren, of murder charges; thwart the apocalyptic ambitions of Bradley Sanguini, the seductive vampire-chef who "blessed" her; and keep her dead parents' restaurant up and running. She hires a more homespun chef and adds the preternaturally beautiful Zachary to her waiting staff. But with hundreds of new vampires on the rise and Bradley off assuming the powers of Dracula Prime, Zachary soon reveals his true nature - and a flaming sword - and they hit the road to staunch the bloodshed before it's too late. Even if they save the world, will there be time left to salvage Quincie's soul?
Here is the trailer for Blessed:
Another book that is already available is Paradise by Joanna Nadin, this isn't the kind of book I would usually pick up but I'm very curious about it. If you've read it already I'd love to read your review so please leave me a link in the comments. If you'd like more information check out Joanna Nadin's website.
An emotionally compelling teen novel from Joanna Nadin - twice nominated Queen of Teen - featuring romance and family mystery through three generations of mother and daughters.
Can Billie find the truth? When sixteen year old Billie Paradise inherits her grandmother's house, it's a fairytale come true. She and her family move from their rented flat in London to start a new life by the sea. Maybe Billie can even find the father she's never met. But moving back to her mum's childhood home uncovers long-buried secrets and Billie soon discovers that people may die, but the past lives for ever.
Here is the trailer for Paradise:
If you like thrillers then Wish You Were Here by Todd Strasser is going to be just your kind of read, you can find out more at the author's website.
A glossy high-school crime thriller from a bestselling American author.
A blogger is listing the kids who should die; a killer is picking them off one at a time. In the small American town of Soundview, someone is blogging about the local high school kids, and the comments aren't kind. But are the posts cruel taunts or vicious threats? Then seventeen-year-old Lucy Cunningham goes missing after a night out, and the hunt is on to catch a killer.
There isn't a trailer for Wish You Were Dead but if you like the look of this book then you should probably look at some of Todd Strasser's other books like this one, Blood on My Hands:
I'm really curious about this next book Cold Hands, Warm Heart by Jill Wolfson. I think this will be quite a heart wrenching read but I'm going to have to pick up a copy.
The lives of two teenage girls become literally connected after 14-year-old Amanda unexpectedly dies during a gymnastics meet and Dani receives Amanda's heart.
Fourteen-year-old Amanda is a competitive gymnast, sleek-muscled and in perfect health. Fifteen-year-old Dani was born with her heart on the wrong side of her body; she's been in and out of hospital all her life. The two girls don't know each other - and never will. Yet their lives are about to collide. Amanda suffers a haematoma - a blood clot - during a gymnastics competition, and dies. The donation of her heart means renewed life for Dani and several other donor recipients. A fascinating and unputdownable story on an important and topical issue.
Have a look at the Cold Hands, Warm Heart trailer & let me know what you think, it's really made me want to read the book:
The last book I'm going to mention is a debut YA novel by Edward Hogan called Daylight Saving. This isn't going to be available until February 2012 but I couldn't resist sharing this really cool animated version of the cover that is also a count down clock for the release date:
Isn't it fab? Make sure you move your mouse cursor over the image to see the water ripple! There isn't a lot of information for this one yet but here is the description from Goodreads:
This is a brilliant thriller ghost story by a new name in teenage fiction. When Daniel Lever is dragged to Leisure World Holiday Complex for some "time away" with his depressed dad, his expectations are low. Daniel is overweight, he hates sport, and his father has brought along his beloved tomato plant. But soon Daniel spots a girl swimming in the fake lake. Lexi is elegant and smart, but very mysterious. Why are her bruises getting worse each time she and Daniel meet? And is her watch really ticking backwards? A dark figure stalks the pair, and as British summer time approaches, Daniel has to act quickly. Their souls depend on it.
So what do you think of Walker's autumn line up? Have you read any of these yet? Which of these books are you most looking forward to?
Haunted by her past, Clary is dragged deeper into New York City's terrifying underworld of demons and Shadowhunters - but can she control her feelings for a boy who can never be hers?
The Mortal Instruments Series: City of Bones
City of Ashes City of Glass
City of Fallen Angels
City of Lost Souls (2012)
City of Heavenly Fire (2013)
The Infernal Devices Series: (Prequel Series)
Clockwork Angel
Clockwork Prince
Clockwork Princess (2012)
Review:
I really enjoyed City of Bones so couldn't wait to get started on City of Ashes, I really wanted to know how Clary and Jace would be effected by the shocking news of their parentage in the first book. I have to be honest and say I didn't like the second installment quite as much as the first but it was still an enjoyable read and one I would recommend. As with the first book there are a lot of different plot threads going on in City of Ashes but for some reason I found this a slower read. There were times when the story seemed to drag a little and there seemed to be a bit less action than in the first book.
I think what I missed most in this installment was the flirty banter between Clary and Jace, obviously this is completely understandable considering events in the first book but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the information we were given is proven incorrect and things change again as the series progresses. If you haven't read the first book that probably sounds really cryptic but I'm wary of giving a major spoiler and if you've read City of Bones I'm sure you'll know what I mean! As much as I missed the flirting I do still love Clary and Jace as individuals and I really felt for them both as I was reading.
We get to see a lot more of the Clave in this installment, after revelations in book one they have good reason to doubt Jace but I hated the way they treated him because of his father's actions. I was so frustrated with the Inquisitor and wanted to knock some sense into her but it was great to see Jace's friends stand by him. I'm very curious to see how Simon deals with the changes that occurred to him, I would have liked a little more information about what happened to him in this book though. It felt a bit like his change was added for shock value and then forgotten about after a few pages. I also hope that we don't have a long, dragged out love triangle. It seems quite obvious to me where Clary's heart lies and although she loves Simon it is clearly as a friend and nothing more - I'll be annoyed with her if she continues messing him around.
The ending has left me with plenty of questions and I'm looking forward to reading City of Glass to get some answers. Although this isn't my favourite urban fantasy series yet it has a lot of potential and is well worth giving a try. It will be really interesting to see what direction Cassandra Clare takes this series in over the remaining books.
Source: Purchased
Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.
I was very excited when I first heard that Foyles would be hosting an event with Cassandra Clare, I have only read the first 2 books in the Mortal Instruments series so far but I really enjoyed them. I'd already bought the next 2 books and Clockwork Angel so I jumped at the chance to get them signed. It was also a great excuse to meet up with some of my blogging friends and I was very excited to have Kirsty come and stay with me for a few days so we could go to the event together.
Kirsty had spotted on twitter that Cassandra Clare was going to be visiting Waterstones in Piccadilly signing stock before the event (thanks for the heads up Nicole!) so we decided to head up early and try stalk her *cough* meet her there. We made it to Waterstones with about half an hour to spare and found ourselves pacing around the YA section waiting for her to arrive. After asking a couple of staff members who had no idea where she would be we decided to wait on the ground floor to see if we could spot her coming in. I'm sure anyone who was watching us would have laughed at our crazy stalkerish fan girl behaviour, especially after we saw her get in the lift and went running up the stairs back to the YA section to wait for her. Honestly, we aren't really crazy (well perhaps a little lol). Luckily Nicole came to find us and tell us that Cassie was up in the restaurant signing stock and invited us to go up and join them.
Kirsty with Cassandra Clare
We couldn't believe that there were no other fans there waiting to get their books signed but were both very excited that we got to chat to Cassie. We had a very random conversation about Misfits and US remakes of British TV shows and Cassie was absolutely lovely. Even though she had a huge stack of books to sign for Waterstones she seemed happy to take a few minutes out to speak to us and sign the books we'd brought with us. We thought we should leave her in peace to get on with signing the stock though so headed towards Foyles to get ready for the event.
In the end we had time to stop for a bacon butty on the way - yum!! - before meeting up with more blogging friends in the queue for the event. I think all of us were a little hyper by the time we met up, as you can see from the pictures below we were more than a bit excited (I don't think the caffeine in my coffee helped lol). Yes, I hate to admit it but it's true - bloggers are bonkers (at least most of us are anyway)!
As we walked into the event we were all issued with Halloween masks (I wish I'd thought to take pics with all of us wearing them) and some of us found out we'd won goodie bags full of books, swag and Halloween treats. The room was all decked out in spooky decorations and Cassie's books which looked fab. Foyles really know how to throw amazing events!
There was a lot of excitement in the room when Cassandra Clare entered with Sarah Rees Brennan, we were all looking forward to hearing them talk and getting the chance to ask them questions. They started the event by quizzing the audience though & even had prizes for the people who knew the correct answers.
Cassandra Clare & Sarah Rees Brennan
Then it was time for audience questions, I have to admit I was nervous about picking up spoilers because I haven't read the last 2 Mortal Instruments books yet so although I took notes for some of the answers I didn't write everything down (I'm hoping to forget what I don't write lol). They started off by chatting about the lengths they go in the name of research. Cassie was even dedicated enough to tie up Holly Black in the boot of her car so that Holly would know what it felt like! Sarah & Cassie nearly got themselves arrested for trespassing when trying to take pictures of an old abandoned building but I think the funniest story was of them taking pictures of a Victorian house and realising there was a naked man standing in the window cooking his dinner!
Cassandra Clare
Would you ever consider writing a book for the adult market? Cassie said she would if the right idea came to her. She did mention that whenever she thinks about adult characters she asks the question "what is their job" and at that point she gets bored and falls asleep so it doesn't seem likely she'll be writing an adult protagonist anytime soon.
Who is the inspiration for your characters? Cassie said they tend to be mash ups of people she knows, fictional and historical characters. Even if a character is based on someone she knows she said by the time the book is finished they end up completely different. People never recognise themselves in the character that was based on them but often think that they are someone different in the book.
What can you tell us about the Dark Artifices series? The series will be set in LA and later in time than the Mortal Instruments series (The MI books are stuck in 2007 because that's when she started them and the time line hasn't moved very far in the story). She chose LA because it's a city she knows well and she doesn't see many urban fantasy stories set there. The series will follow one of the younger shadowhunters from the MI series (Sarah pointed out that we're looking at 12 year old characters now who will be grown up by the time the DA series starts). She did confirm that some characters from the MI books will make appearances in the new series so we will be able to see how things are going for them in the future.
What is the scene you're most looking forward to in the movie? Cassie is really excited about Magnus' party, it's the first time you meet Magnus you get to see weres and vampires and of course there is also the motorbikes.
What books would you recommend? Holly Black's White Cat Series, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor and The Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness, oh and Sarah Rees Brennan's Demons Lexicon trilogy of course lol.
How hard was it to link the family trees for the Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series? Cassie said it was complicated but fun to work out who was related. She had to create 5 different generations to tie the two series together and she didn't want it to be too obvious who was related when you first start reading the books.
How do you plan what happens to your characters? She has a vague idea of what will happen but she gets together with other writer friends to micro plot the whole book before she starts writing. They will go through each and every situation to work out exactly what happens and why. There has to be a good reason for every scene or it doesn't make it into the book no matter how much she may want to include it.
Who would you like to meet and what would you do with them? Sarah immediately said she would go on a date with Sebastian while Cassie chose a safer answer and said she would go shopping with Magnus.
Sarah Rees Brennan
There were lots more questions but like I said I didn't write down all of the answers because I was giving myself spoilers. Cait has written an awesome report though & has much better notes than I do (you can find a link to her write up below). We all had a fabulous time at the event, Cassie and Sarah were both great, they bounced off each other and had us all laughing a lot. It was great to find out more about their books and I'm looking forward to catching up with the MI series and getting started on Clockwork Angel. I have to give a massive shout out to Neil and the other staff at Foyles for a fantastic event. They worked really hard to make a success of it and I really appreciate the effort they put in, especially when a lot of the author events they host are free to attend.
After the event had finished and we had collected the goodie bags we'd won it was time to go downstairs for the signing. Luckily Kirsty and I had already got our books signed so we didn't need to join the massive queue and Caz very kindly got my copy of The Demon's Surrender signed by Sarah for me. Kirsty and I decided to wait in the pub for the others while they were in the queue so we spend a relaxing hour waiting for some of the others to meet us for dinner. I have to say I'm really relieved that we didn't have to stand around in the queue (another big thanks to Nicole from Waterstones!). It was a fab day and it was great to have time to catch up with blogging friends I already knew and of course meet some new faces too. I really do love the UK blogging community :o)
Clary Fray is seeing things: vampires in Brooklyn and werewolves in Manhattan. Irresistibly drawn towards a group of sexy demon hunters, Clary encounters the dark side of New York City - and the dangers of forbidden love.
The Mortal Instruments Series:
City of Bones City of Ashes City of Glass
City of Fallen Angels
City of Lost Souls (2012)
City of Heavenly Fire (2013)
The Infernal Devices Series: (Prequel Series)
Clockwork Angel
Clockwork Prince
Clockwork Princess (2012)
Review:
I feel like I'm one of the last people to join the Mortal Instruments party, I've seen so many people raving about these books that I have no idea why it's taken me so long to start the series - all I can say is that I'm glad I finally did! Despite the fact that City of Bones is a long book it was a surprisingly quick read and once I got started I found I couldn't put it down again.
Clary discovers the secret world that is hidden within our own by accident when she sees a boy attacked at a night club. Even though she doesn't know the boy she is brave enough to step in and try to help him but when she does she gets a lot more than she bargained for. She is quickly drawn into a world where demons, vampires and werewolves really exist and although humans are unaware of this fact they are being protected constantly by shadowhunters (demon hunters). The deeper she is drawn into this world the more secrets she uncovers about her family and about herself - her life will never be the same again.
I liked Clary from the beginning, as I've already said she is brave and will do anything to protect those she loves but I'll admit there were a couple of times I wanted to shake some sense into her. My favourite character would have to be Jace, he may be arrogant and full of himself but I fell for him anyway. I loved the banter between him and Clary, they were constantly arguing with each other but you could see all along that they were attracted to each other. Another favourite would have to be Clary's best friend Simon, he is drawn into this new world because he cares for her and although he is human and has no special abilities he was very protective of her.
There are plenty of things going on, you don't have a moment to get bored while you're reading. I had actually guessed the main twist (although I wish it wasn't true!) but there were still plenty of things that did surprise me and I definitely enjoyed the journey. I'm looking forward to continuing with the series and if you're like I was and haven't started it yet then I'd strongly recommend giving it a try.
Source: Purchased
Other Reviews: Reading Shy With Aly
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