The Inventor's Secret by Andrea Cremer

 
Title: The Inventor's Secret

Series: The Inventor's Secret #1

Author: Andrea Cremer

Publisher: Philomel

Date Published: April 22, 2014

Genre: Steam punk, science fiction, romance

Pages: 336 (Kindle edition)

Age Range: 15+



Summary 


Sixteen-year-old Charlotte and her fellow refugees have scraped out an existence on the edge of Britain’s industrial empire. Though they live by the skin of their teeth they have their health (at least when they can find enough food and avoid the Imperial Labor Gatherers) and each other. When a new exile with no memory of his escape from the coastal cities or even his own name seeks shelter in their camp he brings new dangers with him and secrets about the terrible future that awaits all those who have struggled has to live free of the bonds of the empire’s Machineworks.

 

The Inventor’s Secret is the first book of a YA steam-punk series set in an alternate nineteenth-century North America where the Revolutionary War never took place and the British Empire has expanded into a global juggernaut propelled by marvelous and horrible machinery.


Review

 
I could not put this book down. The action, romance, and overall drama, left my head whirling. The plot for this book was fascinating. Imagining what would happen in the Civil War never happened is such an interesting premise.

Charlotte was an extremely loveable character, I loved her- even if she did get slightly whiny at some points. She was tough and in complete control of herself. Jack was an... interest character? He was secretive, playful, sweet, and seemingly perfect- but we found some stuff about him that made me throw my book across the room. *Seriously* I died a little inside when I heard what happened to him. Coe was interesting, mysterious, and gentlemanly, it made me like him a lot. Ash, Charlotte's older brother, was so tough except when it came to his sister. It was good to see a book with such a strong sibling relationship.

The whole storyline that started out the book, led to nowhere. It started, trailed off, and popped back in at the end just so we could have a sense of closure. That was my main peeve about the book. I loved how it started- almost immediately plunging us into mystery, but then it stopped and nothing really happened for a little while. Then it was almost like the author remembered her original story idea and brought it back in to finish it off.

The writing was so beautiful. It flowed together nicely, even through a few rough patches. The characters were developed amazingly well for such a short book, and the world-building was fascinating. Cassandra Clare does some amazing world-building, but Andrea Cremer could give her a run for her money.

The cliffhanger at the end of this book killed me. I was frantically searching for when the sequel will come out and I need to read something super happy and sappy with a good ending to get me out of my book withdrawal.

If I Stay Trailer #2

   If I Stay Movie Trailer #2

   If I Stay Trailer #2

Can't wait for this movie!!! It's out in less than a month! AAAAAHHH! I really hope it's good. This is one of my FAVORITE books so I hope they don't mess it up like the City of Bones movie last year....They made it so corny and stupid :-/

The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies Trailer

Trailer for The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies 

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Heavenly Fire

Series: The Mortal Instruments #6

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Publication Date: May 27, 2014

Genre: YA fiction, romance, action, thriller, paranormal, fantasy

Pages: 752 (hardback)

Age Range: 13+



Summary


Darkness has descended on the Shadowhunter world. Chaos and destruction overwhelm the Nephilim as Clary, Jace, Simon, and their friends band together to fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary’s own brother. Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell. Nothing in this world can defeat Sebastian—but if they journey to the realm of demons, they just might have a chance…

Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world will change. Who will survive the explosive sixth and final installment of the Mortal Instruments series?

 Review

The end....is here.

The Prologue immediately sucks you in. I was immediately grabbed and flung into the story. The book pretty much picks up right where it left off in Book 5. 

The writing, was amazing as always Cassandra. The characters, amazing as well. They are always funny, witty, brave, close and loving. I had tears in my eyes at times, and it's rather difficult to get me that emotional, so congrats. The connection between all the characters is still strong.

Jace and Clary are as strong, loving, and brave as ever. They're always there for each other, ready to sacrifice themselves for the other. Isabelle and Simon are still strong. And Mugnas and Alec's relationship still reads, "It's Complicated." I also felt a little sympathy for Sebastian, but only because he didn't choose to be what he was; evil was forced on him. I'm sure we all wonder what Sebastian would have been like if he'd grown up differently.

The final installment of The City of Bones series will make you smile, laugh, cry, and shatter your heart into a million pieces. And possibly make you drop, of throw your book across the room. I freaked out so many times, just thinking, No! No! No! This isn't happening!! This can't be happening!!! There were so many things I didn't see coming in this book....I just couldn't believe any of it was happening lol.

It was very sad to see this series end. This is one of those series that I'll never get over; that I'll read again and again. The series will take you on a roller-coaster ride of emotions. Nadia (my co-blogger) text me a few weeks ago while she was reading City of Ashes, telling me that she was close to having a heart attack because of the book. She also said the book is bad for your health, so you know it's good lol!

If you haven't read The Mortal Instruments series.....you NEED to!! I mean it, go to the bookstore right now and just buy the whole series on the spot!

New If I Stay Trailer: “Best Day"

New trailer for if i stay!

   If I Stay: "Best Day" Trailer

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Rebel Belle

Series: Rebel Belle series #1

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group

Publication Date: April 8, 2014

Genre: YA fiction, fantasy, paranormal, romance

Pages: 345 (hardcover)

Age Range: 13+



Summary


Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts. Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him—and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.


Review


Harper starts off as your normal girl excited for her Homecoming tiara. She's confident, polite, sweet, and hilarious. Her prose is rather girly--coming from a girl who just had to worry about shoes and dresses--but as the book progresses, you can see her growth. Harper has am archenemy, named David Stark, that she is forced to when she gets her super powers and she's confused by it. Why David? Why me? Why can't I kiss my boyfriend without thinking of David?

One thing that I especially loved about the book was that Harper and Davis made mistakes. You could tell that they were just as confused by their powers as we were. It made for a hilarious, light book.
The book was hysterically funny. Harper was the least likely candidate to get powers. She goes on and on about how she missed her huge back story, she starts a new trend (#lotionproblems), and is the worst girl to make excuses ever!

Harper has issues making excuses, using her powers, getting along with David, and coming to terms with her new powers, it makes the book so light, funny, and easy to read.

Rebel Belle is now one of my favorite books, and I have to wait forever for the next one! I think know I'm in major book withdrawal....

J.K. Rowling Wrote a New Short Story About Harry Potter

Calling all witches and wizards!

OMG! I am ecstatic!!! I just read J.K. Rowling's new short story on Pottermore.com! Finally, after years of waiting, we get further insight into what happens after the Epilogue of the final Harry Potter book (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows).

This is the first thing that Rowling has released about the duo since the Deathly Hallows! It's been 7 years! And some of our questions are finally answered.

J.K. Rowling has taken to writing for the Daily Prophet as Rita Skeeter on Pottermore.com. The short story is set at the Quidditch World Cup, and is titled: DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY REUNITES AT QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP FINAL.

She talks about some of Dumbledore's Army, and naturally is her normal gossip-self as she questions every little thing that they do, or don't do. She bashes most of the characters in some way, as she normally does when someone becomes a subject in her gossip column, keeping true to her character.

Aaaaand that's all I'm going to give away. You have to read the column yourself ;)

I'm so happy Rowling wrote this short story! Her writing stays true to her wonderful Harry Potter books; being the accurate, and annoying Rita Skeeter as she writes the gossip column for the Daily Prophet. Rita hasn't changed since the last time we heard from her.

Please write more J.K. Rowling!!!!!!!

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Lost Souls

Series: The Mortal Instruments #5

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Publication Date: May 8, 2012

Genre: YA fiction, romance, thriller, action, fantasy, paranormal

Pages: 544 (hardback)

Age Range: 13+



Summary


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?


Review


It's book five and all the characters are just as witty, humorous, loving, and courageous as ever! The characters have really come a long way in development.

The writing--as always--is amazing. I really like how Cassandra Clare writes (I very much envy her). The book was very loving, there were parts where I was really touched by how close these characters are and how much they've bonded.

There were also parts where I got goosebumps. But this book isn't gruesome like the last one (City of Fallen Angles).

Moments between Jace and Clary are as sweet and loving as always....well, when he's himself at least, and not him. They understand each other to no end; and love each other to the point that they would literally do anything to keep the other safe. The romance between Simon and Isabelle heats up, as well as the sparks between Jordan and Maia.

A bond between Sebastian and Jace also forms; and is intense, and unnerving, because you know Jace wants to kill Sebastian. More than anything. But he doesn't have the ability to separate himself from the Jace that Sebastian is controlling to do it.

As usual, book five ends in a brutal cliffhanger that leaves you with a need for more! Time to run to the bookstore for book six! But....it's also the final book in The Mortal Instruments series.....I'm going to be really sad when this series ends.....I might walk around like a zombie for days, wondering what to do now that I've finished such an amazing series, like I did when I finished the Harry Potter series.....*sigh*