BOOK REVIEW | Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

Title: Lord of Shadows
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series? Yes, Lord of Shadows is the second book in The Dark Artifices trilogy, which is part of the Shadowhunter world, which includes other series, like The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices.
Pages: 701
Publication Date: May 23, 2017
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (imprint of Simon & Schuster)
Source: I checked this out from my university library.

Would you trade your soul mate for your soul?

A Shadowhunter’s life is bound by duty. Constrained by honor. The word of a Shadowhunter is a solemn pledge, and no vow is more sacred than the vow that binds parabatai, warrior partners—sworn to fight together, die together, but never to fall in love.

Emma Carstairs has learned that the love she shares with her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, isn’t just forbidden—it could destroy them both. She knows she should run from Julian. But how can she when the Blackthorns are threatened by enemies on all sides?

Their only hope is the Black Volume of the Dead, a spell book of terrible power. Everyone wants it. Only the Blackthorns can find it. Spurred on by a dark bargain with the Seelie Queen, Emma; her best friend, Cristina; and Mark and Julian Blackthorn journey into the Courts of Faerie, where glittering revels hide bloody danger and no promise can be trusted. Meanwhile, rising tension between Shadowhunters and Downworlders has produced the Cohort, an extremist group of Shadowhunters dedicated to registering Downworlders and “unsuitable” Nephilim. They’ll do anything in their power to expose Julian’s secrets and take the Los Angeles Institute for their own.

When Downworlders turn against the Clave, a new threat rises in the form of the Lord of Shadows—the Unseelie King, who sends his greatest warriors to slaughter those with Blackthorn blood and seize the Black Volume. As dangers close in, Julian devises a risky scheme that depends on the cooperation of an unpredictable enemy. But success may come with a price he and Emma cannot even imagine, one that will bring with it a reckoning of blood that could have repercussions for everyone and everything they hold dear.

Goodreads 

BOOK REVIEW | Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Princess
Author: Cassandra Clare
Pages: 567
Publication Date: September 5, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Source: I got this from my local library!

Danger and betrayal, love and loss, secrets and enchantment are woven together in the breathtaking finale to the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices Trilogy, prequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

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.

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BOOK REVIEW | City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Lost Souls
Series: The Mortal Instruments #5
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publication Date:Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster)
Publisher: May 8, 2012
Pages: 534
Source: I checked this out from my local library!

The New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments continues—and so do the thrills and danger for Jace, Clary, and Simon.

What price is too high to pay, even for love? 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?

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

Audible | Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | Kobo

BOOK REVIEW | Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Prince
Series: The Infernal Devices
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publication Date: December 6, 2011

Pages: 500
Source: I bought this via Book Depository!

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, but her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads 

Adaption Talk: Shadowhunters S1E9 - Rise Up

Hey guys and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni and today I'll be doing another adaption talk of Shadowhunters, the TV adaption of the Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. As with every adaption talk, my thoughts will be listed below as I watch the episode! Hope you enjoy! :D

1.) Last week's episode was my favorite of the year, so hopefully this won't disappoint!

2.) I already like Simon's reaction to his vampirism.

3.) Kat McNamara's acting is really strong with these scenes about Simon. It's actually really believable that she cares about him.

4.) The whole Forsaken plot is throwing me off....what's the point of all of City of Glass if they're going to do this to the plot?

5.) Why are Jace and Clary kissing right now? Their relationship works so well because they know how to balance priorities.

6.) I don't like how Magnus isn't as strong of a character as he is in the novel. Magnus knows what he wants and is confident. This doesn't seem like the same person.

 7.) Why is Meliorn even a character.... he serves no point really.

8.) Even though Alec's plot is drastically different from the books, I'm interested to see how it will play out.

9.) The scene with Simon, Clary, and his mom was SO good!

10.) Shade THROWN by quarterback Alec Lightwood to wide receiver Robert Lightwood!

11.) In Simon's case, I would be happy that my best friend gave me some more time with my friends and family!

12.) Okay, Dom's line "Jace Wayland is Switzerland." is so Jace, but the line wasn't delivered well at all. It didn't seem sassy!

13.) The fact that I get excited for any scene with Simon is saying something! He's such a strong actor.

14.) I like the set up for this situation between Clary and Simon at Hotel DuMort. I like that it tests the boundaries of their friendship. 

15.) Aw man, poor Magnus. :( At least they're drawing out Malec's relationship. Unlike SOME relationships. *cough* Clace *cough*

16.) I like that Lydia is a really complex character. Hopefully she won't be an antagonist of every episode!


17.) I completely adore Simon and Clary's friendship! <3

18.) Downworlders and Shadowhunters have been fighting for hundreds of years. One speech won't change it. It's why we have this wonderful thing called City of Glass!

19.) Loved the whole pun-off thing between Raphael and Luke!

20.) Paraba-WHYY stop fighting! Also, what the heck Jace! Best scene so far when he said he'd want to die before they were on different sides. *claps*

21.) Alec you're breaking my heart just like you did Jace's.

22.) While Simon and Clary's friendship grew stronger, Jace and Alec's crumpled.

23.) "You're still you. I'm still me." SO GOOD! Also, good music in the background. It actually fit the mood.

24.) When you're such a big Sizzy fan you have to look away when Izzy kisses another guy.

25.) Nice ending! It's making me anticipate the next episode.

So, it was a pretty good episode! It didn't blow me away, but there were several scenes that did. Every and any scene between Kat (Clary) and Alberto (Simon) were amazing! The fight scene between Matthew (Alec) and Dom (Jace) was really strong. I think that the show more accurately portrays friendship. I really feel for them in that sense, but the chemistry is really lacking when they try to do romantic relationships. So far, Matthew and Harry (Magnus) are the weakest to me.

I'm excited to see what will come in the next episode in the alternate universe! The plots have strayed very far away from each other, but the TV show still is intriguing.

What were your thoughts on the the episode?

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you soon with a another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

Adaption Talk: Shadowhunters S1 E7: Major Arcana

Hey guys and welcome back! I'm Genni and today I'll be sharing my thoughts on the seventh episode of Shadowhunters! This will be my third adaption talk of the television show this far.


1.) That whole line that Magnus had about Beyonce riding a dinosaur? Not only was it weird, but it seemed forced.

2.) I wish that Clary wasn't blowing Simon off as much, even though she is doing something really important. 

3.) My mom is watching this with me, and when Luke said to stay outside the precinct to not garner more attention, my mom just replied that both Clary and Jace's hair already attract too much attention. So true! Both of their looks pretty bad. 

4.) I don't like how the show is basically making runes give you superpowers. 

5.) Jace and Clary are just awkward together. They have practically no chemistry.

6.) I love when Clary slapped Jace! His face was so awkward! :D

7.) Alec was so bad at trying to woo that lady. Quick thinking though! That was a really fun scene! I really like him and Izzy's brother/sister relationship.

8.) This night vision effect looks so bad it's funny!

9.) "That looks exactly like the mortal cup." Well, that's because it is.  

10.) I see what people are talking about with Clary and Alec's chemistry! But Alec and Magnus is so much better.

11.) Let me guess, the old lady is the demon.

12.) Izzy's necklace looks so cheesy when it blinks. 

13.) "What the unlock rune again?" - Clary  "Open sesame" - Jace, when he kicks in the door. Ughhhh so bad!

14.) Come on Clary, be a friend! Simon needs you!


15.) Alberto Rosende is literally the best part of the show. He plays Simon so well! 

16.) Why does Clary have her witchlight while all the others are using their seraph blades?

17.) I like that they are portraying Clary as this powerless girl who doesn't know how to use her powers. The past couple episodes they did the opposite of that, so I'm glad that they are making her seem just as helpless as she was in the first book. 

18.) Please don't tell me Clary is going to be kidnapped now that she got the cup out. 

19.) That isn't Jace. Can it be more obvious? 

20.) The demons in Shadowhunters look like the monster in the Real Cost ads that personify cigarettes. Except, the ad monster looks better. 
 
21.) "Demons. Long story." Except it is not a long story. It would just take a couple seconds to say that demon shapeshifted into Jace and she got the cup out. 

22.) It's sad to see one of your favorite book couples have barely any chemistry on screen. It has improved though!

23.) Okay, I liked the line where Clary said that she does pay attention to some of the stuff Jace says to her and how he has to pay attention to the details. One of my favorite Clary lines yet.

24.) ....Did they just kiss?

25.) Fingers crossed that Jace won't pull away from Clary and be all emotionally guarded!

26.) That kiss was a game changer. I do think they have chemistry, I just think the problem is that they are both given weak lines. 

27.) I feel so bad for Simon. :( I just wish someone would help him!

So those are my thoughts on the seventh episode of Shadowhunters. I think that this was a much stronger episode than the sixth. This episode made me start caring for other characters besides just Simon, though he is still the most compelling one of the cast. I am starting to ship Clary and Jace, but they are much stronger in the books. The television show is improving every episode, and I am actually looking forward to the next one! In comparison to Shannara Chronicles, another YA adaption on MTV, I think it falls behind. Shannara Chronicles is still a much more stronger show in its plot and character development. 

So those are my thoughts on Shadowhunters! What do you think of the series so far?

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading! 

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

Adaption Talk: Thoughts While Watching Shadowhunters S1 E3

Hey guys! I'm Genni and today I'll be talking about the third episode of the Shadowhunters TV show. What I did was just listeed my thoughts as the episode went on. I really liked doing this, and if you do as well, I'll be continuing it! I probably won't be doing it for every episode, but every few.

1.) Clary and Jace actually have some chemistry together, but their scene learning about the seraph blade was pretty cheesy.

2.) Meliorn looks so gross it's not even funny. What happened to the Seelie being the most beautiful beings ever?

3.) "Oh my god. They're vampires." Well yes Clary, that would be expected out of blood sucking creatures that have fangs.

4.) Clary and Jace? Have you ever heard a personal bubble? You literally just met him..STOP.

5.) This is Camille, right? I never pictured her like this at all..

6.) Isabelle isn't subtle at all when she's fishing for information. I don't appreciate how they are making Isabelle so sexualized she doesn't even have a personality. 

7.) "You remind me of me, Alec. A loyal friend standing in the shadow...Don't make the same mistake I did..." Pretty good scene between Hodge and Alec. I liked the subtle foreshadowing.

8.) How could Jace have expected Clary to not fall under the vampires charms? She was raised as a mundane! I thought mundanes were supposed to be the ignorant ones. 

9.) I don't feel comfortable seeing Simon make out this much. Haha!

10.) "We've been breached." You're in a hotel, not a freaking war camp. Are they seriously doing this to Simon so easily into the season?

11.) I love Simon! Alberto is the best actor on this show so far. This is my face whenever there is a scenes with Alberto. 

12.) The scene with Clary and Jace are some of Dom's strongest so far. He's definitely improved since the first show, but he's still pretty bad. 

13.) Clary :"You've never been bitten? You've never been in love.." Jace:"...It fades, just like love." Oh god here I think Jace and Clary scenes are strong but then they have cheesy lines like this.

14.) Oh god the graphics for the vampires erupting are so bad. Why do we have to see a skeleton in some orange sparkles?


15.) "You really know how to hurt a guy." Random vampire, you have no idea. :D *cue Simon's heartbreak*

16.) Wow, I really do appreciate some slow mo walking in a pack. Not. The cheese factor in this show is off the charts.

17.) This scene actually makes me feel nervous. They have changed so much of the books, that it makes me intrigued because I don't even know what is going to happen. 

18.) "Jace Wayland! Remember who your friends are." Is that foreshadowing for what happens with Hodge?

19.) I low key ship Clary and Simon together on the show even though I hate a romantic relationship with them in the books. This unrequited love makes me feel so bad for Simon. It's probably because Clary has way more chemistry with Simon right now. 

20.) We all know that Alec hates Clary so much because he's trying to protect Jace and he's jealous. I'm over it. I already read a whole entire book with Alec being an ass-hat and I'd rather not have to do it all over again. 

21.) We're finally seeing a scene that makes it seem as if Alec and Jace are parabatai. Thank goodness! Also, Alec is totally looking at Jace's lips in this shot of the episode!

22.) Wow, that pumping vein. Way to be subtle, really. I'm excited to see Alberto in those scenes!

So yeah, I definitely had my issues with the episode, but it was a lot better than the first two for me. Dominic Sherwood, the actor who plays Jace, improved a lot this episode in comparison. The CGI was still really bad, but it's a minute detail. My favorite aspect still remains Alberto. He's the strongest actor so far in the series, and I think it is because at the time of filming, he was the only one who read all the books. You can tell he has a full feel of the character.

Though they made a lot of changes in the series, the plot still interests me even if they are doing everything in the wrong order. I feel like if I watched this series without reading the books, I would be more into the series.


Here's a gif that wraps up all my thoughts!

What did you guys think of the third episode of Shadowhunters? Have you decided to stop or continue with the series?

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

Adaption Talk: Shadowhunters TV Show Pilot

Hey guys and welcome to my blog! Down below I will be discussing the pilot episode of Shadowhunters, The Mortal Cup, by going down the list f the five main characters. I liked it more than I thought. Please don't leave spoilers for the second episode! I'm just going to be waiting for next week. :) Shadowhunters exceeded expectations! Though it was really cheesy sometimes, it was so much better than that first 7 minute preview that was on youtube! 


Shadowhunters just premiered on Freeform (lol it's still ABC Family) two days ago and though it wasn't perfect, it was entertaining! I watched the show with my mom, who also watched the movie with me as well. I would say that I liked the episode and I can see myself liking the series a ton more than the movie. The actors looked like how I pictured them in my head too, which was a plus. The gifs are going to go along with my feels on the actors/actresses!

The Cast

Clary Fray - Katherine McNamara

Okay, she overacted too much. I felt like she just tried too hard and the fact that she had some of the worst lines in the episode didn't help either. She does have a lot of potential and promise though. I can see her getting really compelling about halfway through the first season. I can't deal with her hair though. It's just so obviously fake..why can't it be darker?? Minute detail, but I know it will bother me until I get more used to it. 

Jace Wayland - Dominic Sherwood
I don't know whether or not I like Dom as Jace. He looks a lot more like the Jace I picture in my head when I read the books, but he doesn't have the attitude down yet. He seems really stilted and uncomfortable with the sass the Jace embodies, so hopefully that will get better! If it doesn't, I don't see myself fully convinced that he is Jace. I'm freakishly hopeful for him!

Alec Lightwood - Matthew Daddario
There wasn't enough scenes with Alec for me to get a feel for him yet. There really isn't any of the parabatai chemistry between Alec and Jace yet. They didn't seem like bffs, and I wish they did! Fingers crossed they will in the later episodes! I don't have a real opinion of him, so instead here's a gif of him and Magnus! <3 They're the real OTP of the series, not Clary and Jace!

Isabelle Lightwood - Emeraude Toubia
Once again, there weren't too many scenes with Isabelle in the pilot, as it focused mainly on Clary. But Isabelle is (dare I say it?) NICE! It is super weird that Isabelle isn't her hating self yet. Emeraude does look exactly like Isabelle, which is really nice! I hated though how they used her body as a distraction instead of Isabelle being a BAMF. 

Simon Lewis - Alberto Rosende 
Okay, Simon is my favorite! You can tell the actor has a really genuine passion for the series and he really portrayed Simon so well! If he was great in the pilot, I cannot wait to see how he grows in the pilot! This gif perfectly portrays my excitement for Alberto playing Simon! He was amazing! Roberto deserves alllll the claps. 

I wouldn't say that I really liked the pilot, but I liked it, you know? My mom really liked it and I appreciated how I didn't have to explain anything to her. It was easy to follow and even though the show will be a lot different from the books, I am looking forward to see where they will take it! I really liked the actor who played Valentine; he was perfect!

Okay here's some random thoughts that I just had to put out there.. Can we also talk about how the pilot ended? Clary's choice between Jace or Simon was supposed to be a cliffhanger??? Haha!! Like the episode just ended and I was like... that's it? Also, the CGI was rough but I didn't really care because they obviously won't have enough money until it gets more popular. The Circle members just looked like grade A bad guys but didn't have that air around them were I was worried. After the first scene with them in it my mom asked whether or not they were bad guys, so they obviously didn't seem bad

So yeah! Those were my thoughts on the pilot for the Shadowhunter TV show! What did you think about it?

Thanks guys for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

Book Traveling Thursdays: Giving Book

Hey guys and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni and today I will be participating in the weekly meme Book Traveling Thursdays, where we show off different editions of a novel that fits with the theme given.

The prompt of this week is: December is a month of giving. Choose a book in which a character gives an amazing gift to a loved one! If you are interested in participating in this weekly meme, check out the goodreads group here! Catia from The Girl Who Read Too Much and Danielle from Danielle's Book Blog are the creators of this meme, so be sure to check these lovely ladies out on their blogs!

This week I decided to feature my current read, The City of Fallen Angels. Though I oviously have not read this whole entire book, a main character in the last book, City of Glass, gave a great gift to another main character in the series. The former gave the latter a gift that saved their life. In the City of Fallen Angels features the aftermath of such actions. Sorry this is SUPER vague, but I don't want to spoil anything for those who aren't as far along in the series as I am.

Original/English Edition

 These three are all the English editions! Yes, there are definitely more that have the sticker that says "now made into a major motion picture" but here are the main three. The first one if the newly released paperback edition. These released earlier this year and unfortunately, City of Fallen Angels is my least favorite cover out of all of them. I don't know why I don't like this one as much as the others (which I really love!), but something is making it fall flat. Maybe it's because Isabelle's whip doesn't look as badass as I imagined?On the right is the most well known cover. At first, i din't really like these editions of the series, but they are really growing on me. Clary's eyes do freak me out, but I really like it overall. The last one is definitely not as well known but I really like it. I actually did not know these editions even existed until a month or two ago, but the simplicity of it draws me in. There are really cool details in the wings as well!

Favorite

My favorite has to be the original one up above. Like I said before, I never really liked these versions of the cover, but this just draws me in! The color scheme is done really well and whenever I look at the book, I just want to pick it up and read it!

Least Favorite

Okay, there are several covers I didn't like, but these stood out in the worst way possible. I am not drawn to the book but have the feeling of wanting to distance myself instead. The edition of the left is the Italian cover while the one on the right is the other. The Italian cover makes zero sense to me. I'm assuming that is meant to be Isabelle, but it doesn't give off the fun and kick-ass vibe the series is! I have the same opinion for the one on the right. It looks so unprofessional and I just hate the obvious use of photoshop and the calligraphy makes the book seem amateur. 

That is it for today guys! If you are participating in Book Traveling Thursdays, make sure to leave your link down below! I'd love to see them! :) 

Have you read the Mortal Instruments yet? If so, what did you think of the City of Fallen Angels?

Thank you guys for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

P.S. Sorry I've been absent for a couple days! The last week of winter break does not mean parties now that I am a junior and instead is synonymous with more tests in a week than I have classes. 

Book Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel is the first book of The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare, which is a companion series to The Mortal Instruments, a six book series. I read Clare's books by publication, so this is my first in the trilogy and the fourth book of hers I have read. I don't really know have to summarize my feelings for Clockwork Angel. The novel was good, I'll give it that. However, I just couldn't care for the characters and I haven't connected to them at all yet. Hopefully that will change with the next two books in the trilogy, and I have heard that it does get better.

The novel starts off with our protagonist, Tessa, being held captive by the Dark Sisters, and soon enough, Tessa is thrown into the Shadowhunter World. I can't really say that I liked Tessa as a character. I love that she is a reader and is also intuitive. For some reason though, I cannot connect to her and don't really care for her that much. For me, she was too self-pitying for me to read about. The only three characters I do like are Charlotte, Will, and Jem. Charlotte is such a great character. She's the epitome of a strong women. She does and speaks what she wants and is in a leadership position. Charlotte also kicks ass, so there's that. Will and Jem are the two love interests for Tess, and I've heard that the love triangle will tear me to pieces inside and then put them back together. I love how Jem and Will are such good friends and it reminds me very much of Jace and Alec's friendship in the Mortal Instruments. Both men are so charismatic in their own way and I am looking forward to seeing how the love triangle progresses.

My main gripe to this book is that I didn't relate to any of the characters or parts of the plot. Jessamine grated on my last nerves; Tessa complained too much; and I really didn't care for the whole "Who is the Magister?" part of the story. That said, I did enjoy the fight scenes and the automaton prospect. Even with not being able to attach to some of the characters, I read the book fairly quickly (three days, I think) for being as long as it is. I like this book just as much as I did City of Ashes, the second Mortal Instruments book.

Clockwork Angel isn't close to being one of my favorites of the year, but it is a solid read and I am most definitely continuing with both series by Cassandra Clare.

With that, I give this book

3.8 out of 5 Stars!

Currently Reading: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Set in Victorian London, 1878, Clockwork angel is the first in The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare. The trilogy is a companion series to her other series, The Mortal Instruments. The way I read Clare's books is by publication date. So, as of now, I have read the first three books of The Mortal Instruments and just started The Infernal Devices.

The plot is intricate to say the least. Set in a world that is intertwined with our own, we follow our protagonist, Tessa Gray. A seemingly normal girl, we realize that there is much more underneath the surface when she is held hostage by the Dark Sisters, Mrs. Dark and Mrs. Grey. If you have read a Mortal Instruments book before, you'll be able to see who these Dark Sisters really are: Downworlders. Tessa and the reader are then thrown into the fantastical world that Clare has conceived.

So far, I am happy with my decision to read by publication because if not, I would have been completely lost and confused right now. Be wary reading this book; it does have a slow start but picks up about a quarter through. I am very much enjoying the story so far and I'm just about 60% done. I imagine I'll finish the book this weekend. As of comparing Clockwork Angel to the first three Mortal Instrument books, I like it better than City of Bones, but not as much as City of Glass. I would have to say that I currently like it about the same as City of Ashes. After this book, I'll be continuing with both series and I'm excited to see how the world builds with the next books.

On the top left is the original cover, which I am reading from as a hardback, and the bottom right shows the newly released cover. Which one do you like better? Personally, I like the originals better for both Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Princess, but I really like Clockwork Prince's new cover.