Blue Bloods - A book review

Blue Bloods. Melissia De La Cruz. 2007
Hyperion. 302 pages.
[Source: Purchased]



I thoroughly enjoyed this book. At first, I was a bit skeptical. I didn't really want to read another standard YA vampire series. However, this book really went above the idea of what vampires are and how they function.

The book is sat in Manhattan, New York, and is told through different character's perspectives. The story starts with Schuyler Van Alen  and her friend Oliver (Ollie) Hazard Perry attempting to get into a nightclub. It progresses and introduces the other characters: Jack and Mimi Force (twins), Bliss Llewellyn (I did have to do a quick check to make sure I had spelled that last name correctly), and Dylan (wait did he have a last name?  literary brain fart), and Cordelia Van Alen (grandmother to Schuyler), all rich mind you. The story line ties all of the characters together in an interesting way.

If you're a fan of YA supernatural, or even the television show Gossip Girl, you're really going to love this book!



I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. 

insurgent review

#2 in the Divergent Trilogy

Every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Prior must continue trying to save those she loves, and herself, while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

***

NO SPOILERS

It took me a bit to read Insurgent after finishing Divergent. I wanted to bask in the glow of reading such a great book, and prolong the trilogy. (Okay, maybe I didn't wait that long...a couple of weeks?) The entire time I wasn't reading it, I wanted to read it.

Insurgent picks up immediately following Divergent. Tris and her friends are back to deal with the devastation that occurred, and the balance of power has shifted. 

It's very interesting to see how the characters change and grow, especially after Divergent. We learn so much more about each of them. Tris has gone through so many changes, and we see a side of her in Insurgent that we hadn't before. 

Many people have said that they didn't think Insurgent quite lived up to the amazing quality of Divergent. In my opinion, Divergent was a bit better because it had this wondrous quality, but Insurgent is such a great read. It's a wonderful, action-packed sequel with so much emotion and an amazing plot.


I gave this  book 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

the fault in our stars review

 

 

 

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

 

*** 

 

To say this book was a profound read is such an understatement. It is magic. John Green created such a beautiful, heart wrenching, and raw world. It is easily in my top three favorite books ever. I'm so glad that I dusted it off of my to-read list. I haven't cried so much while reading a book in a very long time.

The story centers around terminally ill Hazel Grace and a boy that she meets named Augustus Waters. Both are extraordinary characters with incredible depth, feeling, and wit. Despite having cancer that has ravaged her body, Hazel is amazing. Just amazing. Throughout the book we see inside of her head, how she grows, and how she becomes her own person. Augustus Waters was my favorite character. He was incredible, and so philosophically beautiful.

I think that when you read something that has such a profound effect on you it's difficult to put into words, so I've had this review sitting in my drafts for a few weeks. I had absolutely no idea how I wanted to write it without giving spoilers. Just trust me when I say that if you haven't read it, you must!

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

 

 



clockwork princess review

 

The final book in the Infernal Devices Trilogy



Tessa Gray should be happy – aren’t all brides happy?
Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.
A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa’s heart, will do anything to save her.

***

 

 

Warning: This review may contain spoilers.

 

 

***

 

 

Cassandra Clare wrapped up the trilogy very nicely. In fact, I believe that she couldn't have written it any better. I wasn't sure if I could write a review that would do justice to how wonderful this book was to read. I felt as if I had a 'book hangover' after finishing it. It was quite possibly the best of the trilogy.

Every issue that had been left unresolved was cleared up. I was very happy with the way the author handled the love triangle of Tess, Will, and Jem. It was beautiful and heartbreaking.
The entire book (as well as the others) was an emotional rollercoaster. The epilogue in particular wrenched at my heart, and left me in tears.

Each character grew so much throughout the books, especially Will. I honestly fell in love with  him and even more so in this book. He became such an amazing and indepth character. We saw his passion, gentleness, determination, and heartache. He was so real and raw.

The Mortmain storyline within the book is also concluded very nicely. I strongly disliked him (as well as most everyone who has read the books probably does). I'm glad that there was a definite resolution.

Overall, as I said before the book is absolutely amazing. I would highly recommend it. This trilogy made me fall in love with steampunk/fantasy novels. I'm sad to see it end, but I'm excited to start The Mortal Instruments series.

I rated this book 5 out 5 stars on Goodreads.

 

clockwork prince review

Taken from Goodreads: 

In magical Victorian London, orphan Tessa found safety with the Shadowhunters, until traitors betray her to the Magister. He wants to marry her, but so do self-destructive Will and fiercely devoted Jem. Mage Magnus Bane returns to help them. Secrets to her parentage lie with the mist-shrouded Yorkshire Institute's aged manager Alyosius Starkweather.

This book, this trilogy is amazing!

I seriously have little to no issues with any of it. I think that it was superbly written. The setting of a slightly altered Victorian England is interesting and magnificent. The characters feel very real and you develop a relationship with them based on either love or hate.
I found myself completely zoned out while reading it. Zoned out like I didn't realize anyone else was in the room with me. It's truly that captivating. 
I don't want to give any spoilers away, but I will say that I have a new found appreciation for Will. I believe that the first book was written so that we would misjudge him, and Clockwork Prince clarifies some of the reasons why Will is who he is.
We see the relationships between several of the characters tested in different ways. Some prove themselves more worthy than previously thought, and others less.
I can't wait to read Clockwork Princess!

I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

gathering blue review

About the book, taken from Goodreads: 

In her strongest work to date, Lois Lowry once again creates a mysterious but plausible future world. It is a society ruled by savagery and deceit that shuns and discards the weak. Left orphaned and physically flawed, young Kira faces a frightening, uncertain future. Blessed with an almost magical talent that keeps her alive, she struggles with ever broadening responsibilities in her quest for truth, discovering things that will change her life forever.
As she did in The Giver, Lowry challenges readers to imagine what our world could become, and what will be considered valuable. Every reader will be taken by Kira's plight and will long ponder her haunting world and the hope for the future.

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This novel is a companion to an earlier novel written by Lois Lowry called The Giver.

The story centers around Kira, who is left orphaned after her mother dies. Kira was born with a deformed, twisted leg. However, she has the gift of being able to use threads to create amazing and beautifully embroidered pieces.

After her mother's death Kira is called before the council, and charged by a woman in her village of being useless and worthless. If found guilty Kira would be left for dead.
The council, who have heard that Kira has a gift decides to spare her life if she will agree to sew the damaged robe used for her village's Gathering.
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Lois Lowry weaves a story that is beautiful and heartbreaking. The reader is drawn into Kira's world in such a way that it resonates with you for a while after you've read the last page.

I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.