The New "The Mortal Instruments" & "The Infernal Devices" Covers!

   How is everyone this week? I hope the answer is somewhere along the lines of, "Good."

 A new month has started and not just any month; it's September. Everyone should be starting back at Hogwarts by now, right? Well, I--like many--still haven't gotten my Hogwarts acceptance letter so I'm just sitting here at my computer like any ol' boring Muggle.

 But, I'm a boring Muggle that is here to share some news with you. I'm writing a blog post about my book-nerdiness today, instead of blogging about writing, mostly because I don't have time to sit down and write about writing when I should be editing. So let's get to it so I can get to work :)

 So a few new books got released today, but the only ones I cared about were the beauties in the photos below. I've been waiting months to get my hands on the new The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices (by Cassandra Clare) covers, and they have finally arrived!

These are photos I took today as soon as I opened the box:

 Look at how gorgeous these covers are. Look! These covers are every author's dream. I love the covers so much that I don't even have a favorite! That's very unlike me. The art is amazing and the characters on the covers look how I imagined them, and every single person on The Mortal Instruments covers look bad-ass! I'm just loving these new and improved covers!

   The Mortal Instruments covers BEFORE:

 
   The Mortal Instruments covers AFTER:

  
   The Infernal Devices covers BEFORE:

   The Infernal Devices covers AFTER:

 I am just amazed. I didn't think this series could get any better, and then Cassandra Clare releases new covers for the series that are just breathtaking.

 Cassandra Clare (as well as many others) has been an inspiration to me for years. She crafted this amazing story that just sucks you in every time you sit down to read one of her books, and has lovable and funny characters to take you along for the ride. I can't wait to read more of her work!

POST FROM: www.ashleyearleybooks.blogspot.com  as Happy Semtember 1st (Back to Hogwarts)

www.ashleyearley.com
www.ashleyearleybooks.tumblr.com

Beautiful Blogger Award

Guess what!! Infinite Book Reviews ∞ has been nominated for the Beautiful Blogger Award by The Bookworm Central! Check out her blog because it's pretty darn cool! 

Here are the rules as listed on The Bookworm Central:

1. List 7 random facts about yourself

2. Nominate 7, beautiful bloggers

3. Nominate the people you nominated

Random Facts about Me :)

 1. I love to write! If you don't know that by now, you probably don't pay much attention to my blog posts lol. But I'll go into further detail about my writing. I write YA novels, and have just recently self-published my first book, The Darkest Light. I've also started a personal blog: http://ashleyearleybooks.blogspot.com which I post on quite frequently. You can find out more about me, my book, and my writing there :)
Here's a link to my author website too: www.ashleyearley.com

 2. I'm seriously obsessed with Cassandra Clare's books about the Shadowhunter World. I was hooked from the very first book (The City of Bones) and my love of that first book has grown into an addiction the more I read. I went to see The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie the day it came out. I was disappointed with the movie, but now, 2 years later, we're getting a TV show! I couldn't be more ecstatic! I've been blogging every detail here on this blog lol.

Also, if you didn't know, Cassandra Clare is releasing The Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices with new covers! I am so getting them! Eeep!

  3. I'm homeschooled! A lot of you might not know this but yeah, I'm homeschooled. Yeah, I do school at home on the floor or in my bed in my room. Most of it is online. I've almost graduated though, I'm taking a few electives this summer before starting college in the spring :)

 4. I can't focus on school, reading, or writing without listening to music. It's legit. If I try to do any of these things without my music blaring, I find it difficult to focus. My music doesn't even have to match the mood of the book, I just have to be listening to something. I'm listening to music right now as I write this post! My taste in music is also all over the place. One minute, I can be listening to pop, then I'll start listening to Green Day, or Paramore. Then I might start listening to Ed Sheeran (who I LOVE). You'd have to take a look at my playlist to fully understand the weirdness of my music taste.

You know what, I'll add a playlist at the end of this post so you can see what I've been listening to.

 5. I've always wanted a typewriter. It doesn't even have to be a working typewriter. I've just always wanted to have one. They're cool, pretty decorative, and a feel like every writer should have one. I can't decide what kind of typewriter I want though; a large colorful one like the one in the picture, or a typewriter like the one that Jack Torrance used in The Shining when he typed, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull day" repeatedly.

 6. Speaking of horror movies. I'm a chicken when it comes to scarey stories and movies. I get kinda freaked out, yet I watch them anyway and have subscribed to multiple YouTube channels that tell true scarey stories. I know, stupid, right? I watch old, cheesy horror movies like, "Halloween," "The Nightmare on Elm Street" and "The Town that Dreaded Sundown." Old movies like those make me laugh because the girls in horror movies are just so stupid that it's comical to me. I avoid horror movies that have clowns, or dolls in them though. They seriously give me the creeps 0_0

 7.I can't cook to save my life. I'm going to have to get a roommate that can cook when I move out, otherwise I'll starve to death, or get fat from eating frozen food and junk. I always tell people I'm so skilled in the kitchen that I burn water!
I can bake, but that's about it. I don't think I can live off of muffins, cupcakes, cakes, and cookies for the rest of my life...but I can always try ;)

Here are the blogs I nominated:

Ryley - Ryley Reads

Carmen - Oh The Book Feels

Lauren and Megan - Kiss Me Hardy (YA Bookers)

Isabel  - The Book Academy

Sarah - Sarah Gertrude

Brianna - Brianna's Bookish Confessions

Clare - Stacks and Shelves

My Playlist while writing this post:

 
"Delirious (Boneless) by Chris Lake & Tujamo (feat. Kid Ink)

"Love Me Like You Do" by Ellie Goulding

"City Morgue" by Kelli Schaefer

"Bad Blood" by Taylor Swift

"Outside" by Calvin Harris (feat. Ellie Goulding) 

"Looking 4 Myself" by Usher 

"Photograph" by Ed Sheeran 

Thanks again The Bookworm Central for the nomination! 

 http://ashleyearleybooks.blogspot.com/

www.ashleyearley.com 

Books That Made Me Cry...

I don't usually cry while watching movies, or while reading books because I always, somehow, manage to find something to laugh about; I always find a sliver of humor while everyone else around me cries their eyes out. I don't know how I do it, maybe I'm heartless or just have a talent for it. One way or another, I hardly cry for shows, movies, or books.

A good example could be the first time I watched Titanic; (I watched it with my mom). We're watching the last 10-15 minutes of the movie; when Rose is clinging to the headboard while Jack is in the freezing cold water. I'm sitting there, close to tears, when Rose realizes that Jack has frozen to death, but then she says, "I'll never let you go, Jack," before prying his fingers from her hand and lets him sink to the bottom of the ocean....Tears were gone. The very ending kind of choked me up (when Rose and Jack meet again in death) but no tears were shed. My mother on the other hand, was bawling.

Yeah....I just hate to cry so I'm not totally heartless...I don't think. So, anyway, here are 4 books that made me cry.

                                                                      WARNING: SPOILERS!

1.  if i stay by Gayle Forman

I cried twice while reading this book. The first time, was when Teddy died. The second, when Mia's grandfather told her that it was okay for her to let go of life, if she wanted to. This is a book that will take your heart and twist it until you think it might shatter. The book is so realistic it's scary.
 Mia's family gets in a car crash and everyone dies, except her, leaving her to choose to live without her family, or follow them in death.
 When Teddy died, I immediately thought of my brother. What if my family got in a car crash and I was left to make a choice as difficult as Mia? Then, when Mia's in the hospital, Mia's grandfather comes to tell her that he understands if she doesn't want to live. He tells her it's okay to follow the rest of her family if it's truly what she wants in a heart-wrenching scene.
It was so horribly sweet.


2.  The City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare 

 I cried when Simon lost his memories, and a few paragraphs before when Clary started to realize what was happening--that Simon was actually giving up his memories of the Shadowhunter world, including his memories of Clary. As we all know, Simon and Clary became friends since kindergarten and have hardly left each others sides since.
 So when Simon offered up his memories, and his immortality, to Magnus's demon father to save them all and send them home, I was freaking out. I was crying and couldn't sit still. I would read a few sentences, get up and walk around while holding the book with tears running down my face, then read a little further before repeating the process until I finished the book.
 The ending broke my heart because I couldn't imagine my own best friends (I have 3) losing their memories of me. If they lost all recollection of our time together, everything would be lost. I would remember them and our time together, but they wouldn't remember me at all. It would just be too horrible...


3.  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

 I could pick this book up right now, flip to the chapter that made me cry, read it again and feel sad all over again. I've read the chapter where Harry pours Snape's memories into the Pensieve so many times that I've lost count. I love the chapter where Harry walks through Snape's memories. It gives us a better understanding to what kind of man Snape was. It gives us an understanding to his life and how he's become the man he is, and how he thinks.
 What really gets me every time is when Snape finds Lily's body. He cries for his loss, the woman that he loved and loves, rocking back and forth with her in his arms.
 Every time I watch this part in the movie, I get goosebumps. 


4. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

 When Jem returns to the London Institute to say good-bye to Will and Tessa, it hurt. It really hurt.
 Jem is my favorite character, probably ever, so when he became a Silent Brother and his personality started to change....it hurt. But not as much as when he came back to say good-bye to the two people he loves.
 We read from Tessa's perspective when Jem comes back to talk to her, feeling her emotions as Jem tells her why he chose to become a Silent Brother, and tells her that he's sorry that now he cannot marry her--that he must break their promise to each other. He also speaks of the loss of the life they could have had together, if he hadn't died so quickly.
 Then, we read from Will's perspective when Jem finds him in the training room. Before Jem leaves, he tells Will that he's always with him, fighting along side him, and that they would always have a connection.  
 "When you walk in the world, I will be the light at your side, the ground steady under your feet, the force that drives the sword in your hand. We are bound, beyond the oath. It merely gave words to something that existed already."

So that's it. Those are the books that made me cry. Click on the titles and it will take you to the reviews of those books <3

The New Book Covers for "The Infernal Devices"

Here are the new covers for The Infernal Devices!!!

They look amazing!! I can't wait to have these on my shelf!! I don't know which one is my favorit...They're so beautiful <3

The Mortal Instruments VS. The Infernal Devices

            
            The Mortal Instruments
                      VS.
             The Infernal Devices

Book One: Clockwork Angel

In comparison to The Mortal Instruments, there isn't as much humor. Magnus was in the book for a few pages and he didn't even say much that was funny. I was quite disappointed because, well, it's Magnus Bane! When doesn't he make an inappropriate joke that makes you laugh until you cry?

The main hottie, Will Herondale, is even more somber than Jace Herondale. Getting into life-threatening situations and brooding seems to run in the family.

Tessa, our main character, isn't Clary at all. Clary was a feminist and a girl who didn't need protecting all the time. She'd pick up a seraph blade or a stele and fight with everything she had! Tessa, on the other hand, doesn't fight and, due to the fact that she was raised as a lady, disapproves of woman fighting. Including Shadowhunters. I'm not saying that she isn't brave, because she is; I just want to see her in the action instead of on the sidelines.

Book Two: Clockwork Prince

In comparison to The Mortal Instruments, the London Institute's leaders (Charlotte and Henry) are around a lot more than the leaders of the New York Institute. Because of this, the students of the Institute are forced to listen and obey a higher authority, whereas in The Mortal Instruments, there wasn't really any parental guidance. (There was authority, but Jace mostly did whatever the hell he wanted). 

We saw Magnus more in this book, but whenever Will went to see him it was always on a serious note because he had a job for him. Though, there was one part that I found very amusing. When Magnus kissed Will to get back at Camille lol. Will was so out of it, he didn't even seem to realize what happened. Another thing about Magnus is that he's just realizing he's bisexual. I hope he starts to get more witty, glamorous and animated as the series continues. He's too serious in this series, it's unnatural after reading all his humorous comments in The Mortal Instruments.

In this series, since it's set in the mid-1800's, relationships are very different. Much more formal and dignified. Though, there are a few passionate kisses exchanged between Tessa and Jem, and Tessa and Will. Whew. I can't decide which series has steamier scenes.

Another thing that is different, is that two of the main characters, Jem and Tessa, get engaged. Jace and Clary didn't get engaged in The Mortal Instruments series, neither did any of the other younger characters. Though, Jem and Tessa's relationship is racing against time since Jem is dying.

Will is letting down the walls he's had built up around him for the last five years, because of Tessa, and because a burden was lifted. He confesses his love, only to be told that his best friend/parabatai beat him to the punch of getting the girl. In this series, or at least in this book, Herondale doesn't get the girl.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm totally Team Jem!

Book Three: Clockwork Princess

In comparison to The Mortal Instruments, instead of fighting and killing demons, the Shadowhunters of the London Institute fight and kill Mortmain's automations.

We get to read about what would happen/feel like if parabatai were separated. The rune bleeds and fades from black to a silver. It doesn't disappear, but when you lose your parabatai, it changes color.

We get a few more details about Silent Brothers in this series. But I want to know more! We know that Shadowhunters have to go through a series of rituals to become one, and have to have many runes placed on them, but I want the details! I want to know exactly how Jem felt during the transformation. I also want to know why Jem chose to be called Brother Zacheria, or if another Silent Brother chose the name for him.
 
In this last book, Tessa finally puts her powers to better use and actually joins the fight! In the last two books, she didn't really fight. She used her powers, but not really for fighting. In this one, though, she uses her powers to win the fight and destroy the Magister (a.k.a. Mortmain). I was very impressed by how she flourished in this last book.

The three main characters have this unbelievably strong bond that is unbreakable. Jem's love for Will and Tessa is what keeps him human for so many years, until he finally becomes human again in The City of Heavenly Fire.

I love how the characters from The Infernal Devices tie into The Mortal Instruments. I wish I'd  read these books sooner; I would have understood The City of Heavenly Fire more if I had.

The covers for this series are truly amazing!! They're just gorgeous!

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Princess

Series: The Infernal Devices #3

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Date Published: March 19, 2013

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

Pages: 592 (hardback)

Age Range: 13+


Summary

THE INFERNAL DEVICES WILL NEVER STOP COMING

A net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. Mortmain plans to use his Infernal Devices, an army of pitiless automatons, to destroy the Shadowhunters. He needs only one last item to complete his plan: he needs Tessa Gray.

Charlotte Branwell, head of the London Institute, is desperate to find Mortmain before he strikes. But when Mortmain abducts Tessa, the boys who lay equal claim to her heart, Jem and Will, will do anything to save her. For though Tessa and Jem are now engaged, Will is as much in love with her as ever.

As those who love Tessa rally to rescue her from Mortmain’s clutches, Tessa realizes that the only person who can save her is herself. But can a single girl, even one who can command the power of angels, face down an entire army?

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment, and the tangled threads of love and loss intertwine as the Shadowhunters are pushed to the very brink of destruction in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.

Review


This is probably my favorite cover out of the trilogy! Probably my favorite book out of the trilogy as well. The writing, as always, was amazing. Cassandra Clare never fails to write beautifully. She writes such amazing books with wonderful, spunky, witty, etc. characters that have your eyes glued to the page.

Cecily is a great character. I love her spunk and sassy attitude. She isn't any less stubborn than Will either. I loved how Cassandra put her with Gabriel! It was just so ironic that Gabriel would fall for her after he's despised Will for years. Gabriel could hardly believe it himself.

Speaking of Will (hehe), most of his walls have come down. He's more open and honest, except about his feelings for Tessa. Though, he tries to contain his love for her for the sake of his parabatai, he can't hold back. Now that he's let the walls down, he can't put them back up. He can hardly keep his emotions to himself.

Sofie and Gideon....They're so perfect! I was cracking up when Gideon accidentally told the entire household that he intended to marry her! Then, when the two of them were left alone and he tried to, kind of, take it back, Sofie wasn't having any of it.

When Jem got sick again, I was like: "No...No, no this isn't happening! Jem CAN'T DIE!" If he actually had died...I don't know if I would've been able to handle it...I was freaking out that he was dying from book one; it was love at first page.  

 I was so relieved when I found out that he was going to live. I can't even tell you lol. I was freaking out for a few chapters there because I was like, "This is it....I need to prepare myself....He might die.....BUT PLEASE DON'T!!"

 I couldn't even wait to read about what happened in the book. I was just reading along when suddenly Will was like, "Jem was dead." I didn't even wait. I put the book down and I went on Shadowhunters' Wiki to find out right then if it was true.

Me when I found out Jem became a Silent Brother: "WHAT IS THIS MADNESS! I thought this wasn't possible!"

3 seconds later: *SCREAMS* "OH MY GOD HE LIIIIIIIIVES!!!"

Jem is my favorite character, probably ever. Now that he's a Silent Brother, he's different; his personality and looks have changed, though he hasn't yet gone through the process of fully becoming a Silent Brother. I love the thin, fair, silvery-haired boy. Though, Brother Zachariah is my favorite Silent Brother out of both The Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments series.
But I am very glad/relieved that he's alive, regardless.

The three main characters have this unbelievably strong bond that doesn't even waver when Jem becomes a Silent Brother. Jem's love for Tessa and Will is what keeps him compassionate for so many years, until he finally becomes human again in The City of Heavenly Fire.

When Jem came back to tell Will and Tessa good-bye....It was too much. I was crying, and I've only cried while reading 3 other books (if i stay, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, and The City of Heavenly Fire). I was upset that Jem didn't tell Tessa that he loved her, but I understand why he didn't since he couldn't do anything about it, or express it. 

I think the Magister's death was too quick. I mean, it was cool how it happened! But I felt like after reading three big books, he should have gone out with a bang, or somethin' lol.

The ending was really, really sweet. The wheel came full circle, guys! I was very happy with the ending. The ending was also sad because the Epilogue is set in 2008 and Tessa starts thinking about how Will died and how she couldn't stand by and watch her children die....it was so sad. But then Jem showed up and everything was okay.

New Covers for The Mortal Instruments & Infernal Devices

September 1st, we will be getting new covers for The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices!!

Here's a sneak-peek!

(New cover on the left; right is old cover).

 Isn't the cover cool!! Jace looks too perfect lol. I can't wait to see the rest of the covers! :)

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Prince

Series: The Infernal Devices #2

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Date Published: March 19, 2013

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

Pages: 528 (paperback)

Age Range: 13+


Summary

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

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

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

Review


JEM CANNOT DIE!! HE CAN'T! I will have a meltdown if he dies...

The writing was fantastic, as always! It's Cassandra Clare so it's pretty impossible for the writing to be okay, or fine, or just good. You definitely grow closer with the characters in this book, especially Jem. We come to understand how his addiction affects him, and his true feelings about dying and how much the addiction is a struggle for him. It's awful, but he gets through it day by day.

Jem and Tessa grow really close in this book. Things even get a little steamy....okay, a lot steamy. It's great. While Tessa was describing how her heart was pounding; mine was probably beating 10x faster than hers lol! I love the relationship they have; it's sweet and bashful. I'm excited to see how it progresses in the next book, though I will silently praying: Don't die. Please don't die, Jem. UGH, I don't know what I'm doing to do if he does! I'm going to seriously be depressed...

Anyway, on with the review!

I loved how Henry and Charlotte finally came together and talked about their marriage. They both love each other and never talked about it! Henry thought that Charlotte married him because she needed a man in order to run the Institute, and Charlotte thought that Henry married her so his family wouldn't owe hers any money! They were so blindsided!

Speaking of blindsided; Jessie. I was not upset about her betraying them at all. I kind of expected it and wasn't distraught about it because I didn't like her in the first place (who did?). So, yeah, that's all I have to say about that.

Now, let's talk about Will. The reason why Will keeps everybody at a distance is revealed; it's heartbreaking. For five years he has believed that no one loved him and that no one will ever be able to love him because of a curse a demon put on him. It turned out not to be true--the demon had lied. When he found out, it was like Will's heart had shattered, but also opened up. When he started singing about demon pox, I was cracking up! It was just so un-Will-like.

Towards the end, he lets down the wall he's held up around himself for the last 5 years. It freaks everybody in the Institute out because it's so unnatural lol. But then, just when he goes to finally confess to Tessa, he finds out he has no chance because his best friend/parabatai has already won the girl. (GO JEM!). It'll be impossible for Will to go back to the way he was, now. Which makes me happy because I'm ready to see the real Will, not the Will he's been for the last five years.

I believe Tessa loves Jem--she does--but since she still has some feelings for Will, and now that he's finally showing his true, un-cruel self, she's not going to be able to fully walk away from him because she can't help but wonder what she could have had with him! Cassandra...all I have to say is that this is cruel. You are being cruel to your fans. This is just too much for us to handle....yet we continue reading.

Soooo many other things happened in this book, but if I added it to the review, it would just be too darn long. So I kept it short and about the characters. You'll just have to find out about what happened to Nate yourself. Go read the book! You won't regret it.

It's impossible not to love these characters. It really is, because they're all so great!

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Angel

Series: The Infernal Devices #1

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Date Published: October 4, 2011

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

Pages: 512 (paperback)

Age Range: 13+



Summary

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Review


The writing was amazing--Cassandra Clare's writing is almost too perfect for this book. The book was very suspenseful and gripping. It's a very unique book that you can easily sink into and enjoy. I know, I know it's not The Mortal Instruments but it's still pretty amazing!

In comparison to The Mortal Instruments, there isn't as much humor. Magnus was in the book for a few pages and we didn't really get any of the Magnus Bane humor. Will's comments are snarky; kind of made me laugh but they're bland. His tone is bland. He doesn't seem to care about anything but himself (which is said many times in the book). Whenever he made a comment, he didn't seem to put much thought into it. He says whatever pops into his head and that's that; doesn't matter if he meant it or not, he's not going to apologize later. He's even more somber than Jace Herondale. Getting into life-threatening situations and brooding seems to run in the family. He also has a secret and I'm dying to know what it is! I'm positive it's about his parents and I'm dying to know.

Tessa's power is pretty darn awesome! If I was a warlock, I would be Changing all the time. I really want to know if Tessa has any other abilities other than her being able to Change though. If she's a warlock; can she do more? I'm excited to find out.

The fighting scene at de Quincey's mansion was pretty cool. Will's ninja fighting moves were pretty sweet. I loved it when he ran across the back of the chairs 'cause Tessa just didn't know how to process that lol.

Tessa didn't really fight, but she did give de Quincey an earful while she was still Camille. She shot de Quincey and hit him with a chair leg but that's all she really did. I want her to fight! Not like a Shadowhunter because that's not possible for her. But I want to see her kick some ass like Clary would in The Mortal Instruments! She just stands there like a damsel in distress. She also is against women fighting because it's unlady-like. But c'mon! I know the book is set in the 1800's but seriously; she isn't normal/human anymore and she's trying to be different and know the world she's suddenly part of but she won't really participate in it!

I felt so bad for Tessa every time Will pushed her further and further away. The last scene in this book when they're together is when she goes to tell him that she can stay at the Institute. The way he insulted her was awful! But then, later, Jem came and fixed it all. I also felt really bad for Tessa when she found out her brother betrayed her. I could not believe how horrible he treated her! And then what he did to their Aunt! Ohmygosh!
The last 100 pages of this book had me on the edge of my seat! I was not expecting the Magister to be someone else at all. I really thought it was de Quincey. The whole thing just had me frazzled. I couldn't believe what was going on. 

I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy! I already ordered the last two books lol. I really wanted to know how Tessa came to be, but that wasn't revealed. But maybe in the next book.