REVIEW - Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Prince
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: The Infernal Devices #2
Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
Release date: December 6th 2011
Genres: YA Steampunk Romance
Links: Goodreads / Book Depository
Source: Bought paperback

Summary:
The situation at the London Institute has never been more precarious. With Mortmain and his clockwork army still threatening, the Council wants to strip Charlotte of her power and hand the running of the Enclave over to the unscrupulous and power-hungry Benedict Lightwood. 

In the hope of saving Charlotte and the Institute, Will, Jem, and Tessa set out to unravel the secrets of Mortmain’s past—and discover unsettling Shadowhunter connections that hold the key not only to the enemy’s motivations, but also to the secret of Tessa’s identity. Tessa, already caught between the affections of Will and Jem, finds herself with another choice to make when she learns how the Shadowhunters helped make her a “monster.” Will she turn from them to her brother, Nate, who has been begging her to join him at Mortmain’s side? Where will her loyalties—and love—lie? Tessa alone can choose to save the Shadowhunters of London…or end them forever.

5/5

I actually do not know where to begin with writing this review. Never has a book left me feeling so...speechless! I have never felt so many emotions while reading a book. This was just a roller-coaster of a read and I am still trying to wrap my head around everything that happened.

I loved this book and hated it all at the same time. The writing, the setting, the characters were all amazing. The story line was intriguing, even if it was a little slow in places.

As for the Will and Jem. In CA I was a big Team Jem. I love this boy. He is so sweet and cute, I just wanna hug him!. In CP however, I got to see another side to Will and now my heart is torn in two. I felt so badly for him and what he has gone through. I began to love him as much as I love Jem. I knew while reading that no matter what the ending I would be heartbroken and I was right. At one point I didn't want to read anymore because I knew that I would burst out crying (which was not something I wanted to do in front of people). I just know that I will be in for even more heartache in Clockwork Princess.

Clare has once again not disappointed. Every one of her books I have given 5 stars. She continues to amaze me with her writing and I look forward to reading more from her in the future (Although I don't think my heart can take any more).

Teaser:
Although this book left me very sad, there were some funny moments. This is one of my favourites:

"Reparations," said Jem very suddenly, setting down the pen he was holding.
Will looked at him in puzzlement. "Is this a game? We just blurt out whatever word comes next to mind? In that case mine's 'genuphobia.' It means an unreasonable fear of knees."
"What's the word for a perfectly reasonable fear of annoying idiots" inquired Jessamine.

REVIEW - Semester Aboard by Elizabeth Kirke

Title: Semester Aboard 
Author: Elizabeth Kirke
Series: More than Magic #1
Release date: August 5th 2011
Genres: YA Paranormal
Links: Goodreads / Amazon
Source: Bought ebook

Summary:
Jen is looking forward to spending an entire summer studying abroad on a cruise ship and she knows the experience will change her life. Then she sees something she wasn't supposed to see, something she can't explain. Jen finds herself thrust into a world she never knew existed and her life will change more than she imagined. That is, if she can survive the dangers lurking on the ship.

4/5

Finally!! A YA style book with characters my own age! :D

I loved this book. It had everything I could ask for. Vampires, werewolves, witches, water elements, fire elements...basically every magical being you could think of. I loved all the characters. Dani, Charlie, Thomas, and TS were just the funniest and most adorable people ever. I didn't really connenct with Mariana as she was quite shy and didn't talk that much. Jen was a great character also. She was a bit naive of magic at first as she didn't know any of this existed, and it came as quite a shock to her when she finds out.

The story was very interesting. Kirke's writing was easy to follow and it just flowed really well. I loved learning about all the different magical beings and seeing all the different places they got to visit while on the cruise. I loved how the entire story was set on a cruise ship they are taking classes on. I thought it added a fun element to the story. Things really started to get interesting when a vampire starts feeding on humans on the ship and the gang have to find a way to stop him.

There wasn't a lot of romance in the book which kind of disappointed me as I am a huge romantic but I predict something happening in book two. Fingers crossed anyway!

Overall this was an extremely fun and entertaining read. There were a few grammatical errors but nothing major. I would recommend this to anyone who loves paranormal or fantasy books and is looking for an exciting read. :)

Teaser:

"Are you just making stuff up?" Dani demanded. He flipped through a couple of pages. "This entire page is wrong too!"

"What?" Thomas yelped. He frowned at the page in confusion. "How is this wrong?" Dani started to smirk and Thomas narrowed his eyes at him. "You're such a dick! Is any of this wrong?"

"Nope."

Thomas glared. "I might kill you."

"Come on, Tommy. You know I only tease you because I have a secret crush on you."

"God help me," Thomas muttered. "And don't call me that."

"He gets to." Dani jabbed his thumb in TS' direction.

Thomas glared. "That's because he isn't referring to the rock opera."

"Can't prove that I am," Dani said.

Thomas sighed and rolled his eyes. "Except I know that you are."

"For a deaf, dumb, and blind kid, you really are observant," Dani said.

Thomas groaned. "Charlie, do something, please."

Charlie held up his hands helplessly. "Don't drag me into this, I'm innocent."

REVIEW - Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Title: Shatter Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Series: Shatter Me #1
Publisher: Harper
Release date: November 15th 2011
Genres: YA Dystopian
Links: Goodreads / Amazon
Source: Bought paperback

Summary:
Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. 

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. 

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now. 

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. 

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting asThe Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

5/5

This book is one of THE best books I have ever read! There is no way to express how much I loved it but I'm gonna try.

The writing was one of the main things I loved about this book. It was so beautiful and lyrical and the crossed out sentences added so much to the story.

Juliette is such a strong character. She hasn't touched another person in 264 days. Even after being locked up and treated so terribly by society, she still manages to stand up for what she believes is right and won't let anyone try to take advantage of her.

The story line will keep you glued to the page. Once you start this book you will not want to put it down. It was such a unique and interesting story and I hooked from page 1.

The characters were really interesting too. I loved Adam. He was such a great love interest. He was so loving and loyal and HOT! Seriously! That boy is just WOW! And he had tattoos!

Now Warner is a different story. Even though the boy was hot (but not as hot as Adam) he seriously gave me the creeps. He is completely obsessed with Juliette and wants nothing more than to control her and have her all for himself. He was just crazy.

Another character that I have to mention is Kenji. He was just too funny! He was so sarcastic I loved him. I can't wait to hear more from him in book two.

Overall I just loved, loved, loved everything about this book. If you haven't read it yet, what are you waiting for?? Go get it now!! You will not be disappointed!

Teasers:
Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:

“I always wonder about raindrops.

I wonder how they're always falling down, tripping over their feet, breaking their legs and forgetting their parachutes as they tumble out of the sky toward an uncertain end. It's like someone is emptying their pockets over the earth and doesn't seem to care where the contents fall, doesn't seem to care that the raindrops burst when they hit the ground, that they shatter when they fall to the floor, that people curse the days the drops dare to tap on their doors.

I am a raindrop.”


“I'm just messing with you guys. I like seeing psycho chick get all intense." He glances at me, lowers his voice. "I mean that as a compliment--because, you know"--he waves a haphazard hand in my direction--"psycho kind of works for you.” - Kenji 

REVIEW - Creatura by Nely Cab

Title: Creatura 
Author: Nely Cab
Series: Creatura #1
Release date: June 15th 2011
Genres: YA Paranormal Romance
Links: Goodreads / Amazon
Source: Bought ebook

Summary:
When seventeen year-old Isis Martin is having trouble sleeping due to perturbing dreams of a horrific growling beast, she decides to confront her fear. But what Isis discovers is something other than a menacing entity.

The human-like creature offers Isis assurance that he is not a figment of her imagination. Unwilling to accept his avowal, Isis sets his words to contest by asking the entity to prove himself - a dare, he readily welcomes.

It is in her dreams that Isis innocently stumbles upon the silent existence of the divine lineage of those that man has long forgotten.

In a quaint town, deep in south Texas, this story leads Isis onto the path of impermissible love and captivating life-changing truths. Isis Martin's journey is sure to leave any reader ravenous for more.

4/5

Wow! There are no other words to describe this book. It was just amazing. From the very beginning this book grabs a hold of you and won't let go,even after you have turned the final page. Everything - from the characters, the writing, the mythology, to the romance - was everything I could have wanted in a book. I loved everything about it. Especially a certain Mr Chios. 

Ah David. *sighs* If a man wrote me poetry as beautifully as he does I would let him invade my dreams any night. This man was just everything you could ask for. Handsome, kind, loyal, sincere, funny...I could go on but you get the picture. I have to admit there were one or two times when I wanted to smack the gentleman right out of him, but I'll forgive him. Although some of the things he does would be seen as corny by a lot of people, the romantic in me just couldn't get enough. I want a David all for my own. 

The story line was very interesting. I was intrigued as to find out what Isis was and how things were going to work out for her and David. I really liked Isis as a character. I thought she was very loyal and compassionate and always seemed to be thinking of others. The story really started to get going when Gabriel came on the scene. That boy was just plain creepy. Even though I now know why he did the things he did, he still creeps me out. 

Overall I would recommend this book to any die hard romantics (like myself). After that ending I cannot wait to see what the next installment has in store for Isis and David 

Teaser: 

Here is just one of the many poems that David wrote that had me weak at the knees. 

“My Lovely, 

Your guise is unparalleled, Your touch entices my thirst,Your presence thaws my soul, My torso threatens to burst. Awaiting your requited love, Forevermore I shall remain. Never exhausting of time, But enduring its tribunal pain. 

Ceaselessly Yours, 

David Chios”