Just yesterday the cover of Quirk Books’ new mash up Android Karenina was released. I am so psyched for this book and look forward to adding it to my personal collection. It will look great sitting on my shelf with the other three!
So, without further ado, here’s the cover.
Summary from Borders.com - Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries?
Rhia’s Review – I love this book!!! Okay, now that that’s out of my system, I can tell you why. Cassandra Clare really has really created this amazing world that’s so easy to become immersed in. I love the characters, I love the story, I love pretty much everything about this series.
The Recommendation – If you’re into any kind of YA fantasy series, you’ll love this. It has everything!
The Other Books – I was so excited for the next book, I couldn’t stop chattering about the series to a friend of mine. I might have annoyed him a little bit, but he took it really well. So, needless to say, I already bought it. So, yes I think it’s worth it.
The Vitals* – Go buy this book now! Paperback is $9.99 and hardback is $17.99
The Links – Official Mortal Instruments Page, Official Infernal Devices Page, Cassandra Clare's Official Website
*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.
Summary from Borders.com – Swept away into a court of magic and beauty, she discovers she is Tania, the lost princess of Faerie. But Tania can't forget Anita's world, or the boy she loved there. Torn between two loves and between two worlds, Tania slowly remembers why she disappeared, and realizes that she is the only one who can stop a sinister plan that threatens the entire world of Faerie.
Rhia’s Review – Once again this book falls into the category of spin offs and derivations of classics, which is something that first drew me to it! I was so excited when I saw that Tania was the daughter of Titania and Oberon, as A Midsummer Night’s Dream is my favorite Shakespeare play! But the best part of all is that this book did not disappoint!
Frewin Jones has created beautiful and magical world, and the story really drew me in. There were a couple of neat twists, and I love the characters! With so many sisters, you might think that all of their personalities would overlap and jumble up, but that doesn’t happen. the Faerie Path was really well written, and let’s face it, the covers are simply beautiful!
The Recommendation – While there isn’t a lot reminding me of Shakespeare in the book, fans of Faeries will really enjoy this book! But of course, I think everyone should read it.
The Other Books – There are four other books published in the series so far. I have three of them. Look fore more info in coming reviews.
The Vitals* – You can get this fantastic book in paperback ($8.99) or hardback($16.99).
The Links – (Allan) Frewin Jones Official Website
*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.
Summary – Elizabeth Bennet has just married the love of her life, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Once they embark on their wedding tour, however, Mr. Darcy begins behaving strangely, and Lizzy begins to suspect that he may regret marrying here. But whatever is troubling Mr. Darcy is not as simple as that…
Rhia’s Review – Well, if you’ve read anything else in my blog, you may already know that I love books that are spin-offs or derivations of classic literature. I also love Jane Austen. And I like Vampires. All the criteria is there. This was a really good book, even if some of the big secret is given away in the title., and I think it works very well as an unofficial Pride and Prejudice sequel. There weren’t many action scenes, but it works well for the novel considering it’s supposed to be similar to Austen. It gives a host of characters, and takes place in several beautiful locations (Like Venice. Yay!), and spends a lot of time with the society they come across.
As a historical novel, I personally give it an A, but as a vampire novel, not so much. There are really only a few aspects that give it originality in an over-vampired age, but the book sets a nice tone of mystery so there’s good regency horror ambiance. I’m just thankful Mr. Darcy doesn’t. sparkle.
The Recommendation – I’d recommend Mr Darcy, Vampyre to big fans of historical novels and Jane Austen. And If you really like vampires, you’ll probably enjoy it. If any of those isn’t your thing, I probably wouldn’t bother.
The Vitals* – Mr Darcy, Vampyre is available in paperback for $14.99.
The Links – Amanda Grange's official website Here's a pretty book trailer
*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.
I’m currently scheduling some reviews that need to be posted. I like to schedule one every other day to make sure I don’t run out of content. I’m trying to change my reading pattern, so I should be able to finish books more often to review here. Right now I have to post reviews for books I read a while back because I’m reading too many at the same time to finish anything, but I don’t want blank spaces on this blog. I’m super serious and I want everyone to know it!
I hope you all had a great Valentine’s Day!
It suddenly dawned on me that I never put up my review for Mason by Thomas Pendleton. I adored that book, and I just can’t let it be left out.
Summary from Borders.com -
Some kids say Mason Avrett is slow. What they don't know is that he also has a terrifying power that he's just beginning to understand. But that's not his worst problem: Mason lives with a sadist. His older brother, Gene, doles out punishments so brutal that all Mason can do is cover his head for the beating and try to forget the horrific things he's seen.
Rene Denton, one of Mason's only friends, knows that Gene is evil, but she doesn't know how evil until the terrible night she becomes a victim of Gene's cruelty. Suddenly Mason's power--raging beyond his control--becomes the only thing that might just be as frightening as Gene.
Rhia’s Review – This is one of the greatest horror novels I’ve ever read. Finishing it at 4 o’clock in the morning with a flashlight during a thunderstorm which has knocked the power out really helped, too. But it wouldn’t have been possible without the writing.
Thomas Pendleton (pen name for Lee Thomas) gives us an inside look into the character’s thoughts, really giving a good sense of their motivation. The imagery he uses is amazing, I was able to perfectly visualize everything he wrote. And watching as Mason uses his newfound ability to try to fix things really gives a sense of grim satisfaction about what he does to the antagonists.
This will always be one of my favorite books. With the imagery, I think it’d make a great movie, all of the elements are there. But none of that is in the works, but that’s okay. Who needs a movie when you can see it in your head so perfectly?
The Recommendation – Love horror? READ THIS BOOK. The easily scared will probably get more fright out of it than someone who’s super into scary like me, but I think it’s just right in it’s elements to be appropriate for anyone, no matter what your scare level is.
The Other Books – There are no ‘other books’ where Mason is concerned, but I am interested in reading anything else Thomas Pendleton has to offer.
The Vitals* – Mason can be acquired in paperback for $8.99.
The Links – No links right now, as Thomas Pendleton/Dallas Reed/Lee Thomas or whoever he is today has so many names and his YA website doesn’t appear to be working right now.
*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.
gives us an inside look into the character’s thoughts, really giving a good sense of their motivation.
Summary from Borders.com -
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Clary knows she should call the police, but it's hard to explain a murder when the body disappears into thin air and the murderers are invisible to everyone but Clary.
Equally startled by her ability to see them, the murderers explain themselves as Shadowhunters: a secret tribe of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. Within twenty-four hours, Clary's mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a grotesque demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....
Rhia’s Review – One fateful day, daddy took Rhia to the mall and let her pick out a book. Rhia picked a dragon book, but while she was there spotted a book that looked interesting. She picked it up and read about it, and the more she read the more she liked, but still decided to get the dragon book she had already picked. When Rhia got home, she couldn’t remember the name or author of the book, and it started driving her crazy. So crazy the she got online and asked for help, describing what she remember about the book on a forum. They lead her to the book she had forgotten, and the next trip to Borders, Rhia got that book, called City of Bones.
In case you didn’t figure it out, I’m that Rhia. And I’ve always regretted not choosing City of Bones instead, because that dragon book kind of sucked, while City of Bones is awesomeness incarnate. I love it so much I’ve babbled about the series so much to a friend of mine that he knows more about it that someone who has never read it should.
Combining Angels, Demons, Warlocks, Werewolves and Vampires, some of my most favorite things to read about, without making any of them dull or overdone, Cassandra Clare has written a book that will always have a place in my heart. The characters and settings are vivid and real, really giving you a sense of being there. The writing is fantastic, and the story and plot really pull you in. Love the twists as well.
All in all, a simply wonderful book that I will never cease to love.
There’s also talk of a movie, which I think may be really official and underway. But I try not to get my hopes up too far when it comes to this sort of thing.
The Recommendation – This is a fantastic book, and a fantastic series, that all lovers of fantasy should try. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
The Other Books – City of Ashes and City of Glass, the other two books in the series, have already been read and are sitting with their brother on the shelf. (Reviews coming soon.) So, obviously, I think it’s worth it. Clare has recently revealed that a surprise fourth book in the series, City of Fallen Angels will be released in early 2011. (I believe I’m right on the time. Just don’t sue if I’m wrong.) I can’t wait. There is also a prequel series in the works, called the Infernal Devices. The Clockwork Angel, first in the series, will be out later this year. Also can’t wait for that.
The Vitals* – City of Bones is available in both hardback ($17.99) and paperback ($9.99).
The Links – Official Mortal Instruments Page, Official Infernal Devices Page, Cassandra Clare's Official Website
*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.
