City of Bones, Cassandra Clare, Simon Pulse, 485 pages

(Dec. 4) So when I first read this book back in 2007, I thought it was good but because of the twist between the two main characters I put it back. I mean, ugh, and how could I continue with the series? It was just too upsetting. I like a good love story, I like happy endings.

And so for the next two years I ignored the really amazing covers of the next two books. Kept telling myself to stay away.

Then Kristi, The Story Siren, convinced me to pick them up again.

And boy did I ever.

I couldn’t put them down. Seriously. I’ve finished all three books in like a week. And now I can’t wait for the “prequel” series, The Infernal Devices, to start coming out. Or the fourth “surprise” book in The Mortal Instruments series, City of Fallen Angels.

City of Bones has so much going for it, intrigue, monsters, warriors, normal people, the warriors call Mundanes. And of course that bit of romance I was talking about earlier, plus unsettling twists, adventure, and magic.

The main character of Clary, pulls you in and makes you feel like you are apart of the story. Each and every character is well fleshed out, relateable, and even funny in their own ways. That’s something I actually really enjoyed about the characters, the main ones and even a few of the secondary ones, they each had their moments of humour. Most of the time that’s focused in on one character. You know, he’s the funny one, usually the best friend of the girl (mc) and while Simon did have quite a few funnies, so did Clary, Jace, Alec, Magnus, Luke, and even Isabelle.

In fact, for my quotes section, it was so hard to leave some of them out, but for the sake of time and space I did.

So here they are, and if you haven’t read the series, I suggest you do so.

Right now.

Why are you still here?

Oh yea, the quotes. That’s why...

"How did you know I had Shadowhunter blood? Was there some way you could tell?"

"It seemed the most likely explanation."

"You guessed? You must have been pretty sure, considering you could have killed me."

"I was ninety percent sure."

"I see," Clary said. Her hand cracked across his face, a slap that rocked him back on his heels.

He put his hand to his cheek, more in surprise than pain. "What the hell was that for?"

"The other ten percent," she said. -Clary and Jace pg. 84-85

"You hate the Silent Brothers," protested Isabelle.

"I don't hate them," said Jace candidly. "I'm afraid of them. It's not the same thing."

"I thought you said they were librarians,"said Clary.

"They are librarians."

Simon whistled. "Those must be some killer late fees." -Isabelle, Jace, Clary and Simon pg. 158

Jace's grin was a white flash in the darkness. "It means 'Shadowhunters: Looking Better in Black Than the Widows of our Enemies since 1234.'"

"Jace--"

It means, said Brother Jeremiah, The descent into Hell is easy. Jace, Clary, and Brother Jeremiah pg. 179

"The other ten percent," she said. -Clary and Jace pg. 84-85

Hush, Hush, Becca Fitzpatrick, Simon & Schuster, 391 pages

(Oct. 17) I’m not even exactly sure how to begin this one...words seem a bit inadequate. To say that I loved it would be an understatement. Maybe not the understatement of the year...but maybe close third.

Let’s start with the cover...in Becca’s acknowledgment section she thanks James Porto for “a cover that blew away my expectations.” I’d have to second that. What an awesome cover. It tells you enough without giving too much away. Just like the Prologue. I have recently read some books (I’m sure you’ll know em when you see the reviews) that were very enjoyable but the whole story (slight exaggeration) was right there in the prologue. Why would I want to read the book? I did. And still enjoyed them, but it was a bit annoying.

Speaking of annoying, did anyone else find Vee that way? I mean I liked her alright, but there was just something about her that bugged me. I think it may have been the fact that she seemed like a true friend sometimes and like someone who was friends with Nora just because, other times. Am I making sense? Maybe not. Now that could just be me and the way I took some of the conversations between the two of them. Like the camping trip. But I haven’t seen much if any complaints about Vee in other reviews I’ve read.

The story was a pretty awesome one. I liked the fact that Becca brought in The Book of Enoch and some other information about the fallen angels, like Nephilim. I’m glad she did her research because it was more believable that way. The one thing that I thought was a little...underdone...I guess that’s the word I’m looking for...and this might be a bit spoiler-ish so skip to the next paragraph if you don’t want to know...is the whole save a life/guardian angel thing. It just seemed too simple for me. But then when I think about it...I guess because the fallen angels are no longer good, saving a life wouldn’t be in their thoughts? Maybe that’s why none of the fallen’s knew about it. I guess that makes sense, but like I said it still seemed too easy.

I’ve read that some people think Patch was too mean to Nora, after reading the story I really wonder why? He didn’t seem mean to me at all, not, I guess, how I was assuming with all the comments about it. He just seemed like he was taunting her to get her attention, to get her to think about him when he wasn’t around. I mean, that’s what guys do when they like a girl, right? Revert back to 5th grade. And where he didn’t pull her hair or anything he was that mysterious guy who smolders when he looks at you. Makes you hot and blush because you can just imagine what he’s thinking. Or can you?

Overall I thought it was awesome. I’m really excited for Crescendo which I’ll have to wait a full year for. *sigh* Oh well. I’ll reread Hush, Hush to tide me over.

Great job Becca! Really glad you got the writing class and not the Japanese cooking class.

Tell your hubby we all appreciate his listening skills and forthought. :)

Now one of my favourite things, if you are new to the site I always try and give you a couple quotes from the book that I enjoyed...

I had my eyes pinned forward, but I heard the soft glide of his pen. He was writing, and I wanted to know what. Ten minutes of sitting together didn’t qualify him to make any assumptions about me. Flitting a look sideways, I saw that his paper was several lines deep and growing.

“What are you writing?” I asked.

“And she speaks English,” he said while scrawling it down, each stroke of his hand both smooth and lazy at once.

“Religion?” I asked more firmly.

Patch dragged a hand thoughtfully along the line of his jaw. “Not religion...cult.”

“You belong to a cult?” I realized too late that while I sounded surprised, I shouldn’t have.

“As it turns out, I’m in need of a healthy female sacrifice. I’d planned on luring her into trusting me first, but if you’re ready now...”

and I’ll stop there because if I give any more I’ll be giving too much away. I loved each and every interaction between Patch and Nora. Literally. Great chemistry Becca, amazing book.

Coffeehouse Angel, Suzanne Selfors, Walker & Company, 276 Pages

(Oct 7) Ahhhh, Coffeehouse Angel was a joy to read. It was nice, as I am part Norwegian, to have a book that went into some of the cultural stuff, like sardine sandwiches and the coffee with an egg in it. :P

I actually picked up Coffeehouse angel in the hopes of taking the edge off of another book I’m reading that, although a very good story, I needed to put down because I just needed a break from the emotions it stirred up.

Coffeehouse Angel did that for me.

I enjoyed this book a lot, and thought Suzanne did a great job with all the little details of making a relationship between Katrina and Malcolm plausible, possible, believable.

I mean when I think of relationships with angels I think of Nephilim and “danger Will Robinson, danger” but it was a nice twist.

I also liked the little details, the glowing words, the Highland smell, the wings on ankles.

Suzanned did a great job with building the characters, each and every one. I felt a connection with most of them aside from Heidi and only because she didn’t have much dialogue with substance.

The Boys were awesome, I despised Mr. Darling, and even mute Irmgaard felt real to me.

If you are looking for a great, easy read, full of good feelings and Hero Hot Chocolate pick up this book.

Now for my favourite part...

“I contained your desire in this coffee bean. Clever of me, don’t you think?”

I raised my eyebrows, feigning amazement.

“I suspect you’re trying to trick me, just like you did with the pencil.” His expression remained serious.

Okay this one is a bit long...but I love it...

“Hold on now.” Lars stopped walking. He turned and peered up at Malcolm, his eyes half-hidden by his knit hat. “You want to give Katrina what she most desires?”

Malcolm nodded. “I’ve tried, but she won’t tell me what it is.”

Lars shook his head. “She’ll never tell you. No woman ever tells. And no man’s ever been able to figure it out. You’ll be guessing for the rest of your life and you’ll always guess wrong. Women like it that way because it gives them something to complain about.”