FINALLY!! The Fiery Heart ( Bloodlines # 4) by Richelle Mead

THE FIERY HEART (Bloodlines # 4) by Richelle Mead

5 STARS!

Synopsis from Good Reads:
In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.
 I feel like I have been in a reading rut lately...like maybe it isn't these authors that I adore...but I have dug myself into such a hole of expectation that I cannot get out of it.
Richelle Mead has saved me from that hole and thankfully has redeemed my thoughts on what is to expect from an author of a certain caliber. No offense to those that I have read recently, but it looks like the blame was all on me for building up my expectations too high and letting them crash and burn.
I will start by saying that I love the Bloodlines series...and if you haven't read it you seriously need to. However, if you haven't read the Vampire Academy Series you need to do that first! This is a spin off series so it would just be best!

The Fiery Heart...pure AMAZING. Adrian was fab, Sydney stupendous, the rest of the gang wasn't in this book as much, but it was seriously just WOW.
I promised myself that I wouldn't give too much away so I will keep it sort and sweet:
Me reading the book:
 Awww
OH NO!
WHAT?
YEAH!
NO!!!!!
Right on Sydney!
Stupid Cliff Hanger how will I ever make it to this Summer???

So to Sum up in two words:
READ IT!

The Mortal Instruments 2-4 review

So I have decided to lump books 2-4 together. For no particular reason...
I am going to start with book 2 and work my way back.

CITY OF ASHES (The Mortal Instruments # 2) by Cassandra Clare

4 Stars (Maybe 3.75)

Synopsis from GR:
Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

It is really hard for me when I pick up a new book and there are gaps in between the books and there is a lot of back story. I mention this because it is not only a big pet peeve of mine, but a serious 'fear' of me missing out on a story line or having to rush through a book to understand what happened when I wasn't around. I was really worried that this series would be like that...thankfully it isn't. This story picked up right where the first book left off and it was a suspense filled one! I am so thrilled with this series and I cannot wait to delve more into it. I am also super excited that Clare intends to write 5 or 6 series in this same world! I love when authors do that! Oh and look at how stunning that cover is! Moving right along:



THE CITY OF GLASS (The Mortal Instruments # 3) by Cassandra Clare

5 Stars! WOW This book really did it for me!

Synopsis:
To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the third installment of the New York Times bestselling series The Mortal Instruments.

 So IMO this series just keeps getting better and better! This book in particular was a HOME RUN for me. I was a little surprised at some of the events in the book, but once again I see where you are going with this Miss Clare and I love it! Very rarely do I rate a book 5 stars. It could be a really well written book but usually I find a small part of the book leaving me wanting something. This book was perfect! I loved where the story line went. I enjoyed the development of characters and the introduction to new characters. I cannot wait to read book number four and five! Super excited! 


CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS (The Mortal Instruments # 4) by: Cassandra Clare

 3 Stars
Synopsis from GR:


Clary is back in New York and life is good: she’s in training to be a shadowhunter and is finally able to call Jace her boyfriend. But nothing comes without a price. When Jace inexplicably begins to pull away from her, Clary is forced to acknowledge that she herself has set in motion a chain if events that could lead to the loss of everything she loves. Even Jace.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge.
The stakes are higher than ever…


Okay I am not even sure where to begin with this one...except IMHO this book was a MAJOR MAJOR let down. I really wasn't even sure I wanted to give this book 3 stars...And I predicted in the previous book that I absolutely knew what was going to happen as far as the villan is concerned and ding ding ding...we have a winner. The only problem? It was horribly done. Everyone that is supposed to be happy ends up being miserable and the story line itself is super depressing...To be honest I am not even sure when I will start book number 5 because if it is anything like this one my love for the series will be lost. SIGH it was going so well!! After reading some other things about this series I have heard rumors that it was originally supposed to be a trilogy and honestly if that is the truth it would have been really great! Here is to HOPING that book number 5 and 6 will redeem the series for me. Sorry to end on such a downer.

The City of Bones (Mortal Instruments # 1) by Cassandra Clare

THE CITY OF BONES ( Mortal Instruments #1 ) by Cassandra Clare

4.5 Stars

Goodreads synopsis:
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. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a 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...

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

Where to start? First off I guess I will start out by saying where the heck have I been?? I understand that sometimes I am a bit behind the times...but this came out in 2007! I should have read this years ago...the benefit is that not only are all six books in the series out, BUT the first movie hit theaters in August and will be out in December on DVD/Blu-ray. Very exciting.

As for the book, it was really well done. Fast paced, solid characters, excellent plot. It certainly left me wanting more and thankfully I have the second book with me so I don't have to wait too long for my next nerdy fix. I was a little dissapointed at how the book ended, but I am on to you Miss Clare and I am hoping that my instincts are correct with your plot development!

I hope you all pick this one up! I will keep you posted on the rest of the series and the movie!
TTFN. 

Goodreads Choice Awards 2013!

Final Round of Goodreads best book of 2013 voting
Voting ends on the 25th of November

Lol I always tell my husband that he should be thankful that certain people aren't real because I would totally stalk them.

Allegiant (Divergent # 3) by Veronica Roth

ALLEGIANT (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth

I am not in the right mind to do a star rating on this book at this time...Honestly I may not ever be.

Goodreads summary:

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

Okay first off I have come to the conclusion that maybe dystopian book aren't for me...
That being said:

PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS READING although there are no specific 'spoilers' in my review it is probably a little spolier-esq...


I am seriously at a loss for words...
I loved this series. Like with most of my favorite series' I became a bit obsessive. Up until this point I wasn't sure that there could be a worse way to end a series than Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. My apologies, because seriously this was worse. Yet I find myself still really liking this series, (after mockingjay I didn't read anything for nearly a month). I was so upset I even told my husband, "Honey you will never believe it!" He is not a reader and doesn't understand it...his response: "Sorry honey I cannot be responsible for your emotions toward fictional characters in your life". Which is all fairness is a valid point.
The book was so fast paced and lively. Honestly I still struggle with where I should rate this book because the first part of it was nicely done. The last few chapters really tore my heart apart and although after reading Roth's blog you can read it here ( VRs View on her book )I have a better understanding of WHY the book ended the way it did. It just doesn't seem right or fair. I understand that life isn't right or fair...but in my opinion books are supposed to be and unfortunately Allegiant fell a bit short for me. Maybe that is because again it is a dystopian book.
Is it worth the read? Absolutely, but go into it knowing that you most certainly will bawl your eyes out. Unless you don't have a heart, in which case dystopian books are probably the perfect read for you!
Too sad for any more words..

THE BRIDE WORE SIZE 12 (Heather Wells # 5) by Meg Cabot

THE BRIDE WORE SIZE 12 (Heather Wells # 5) by Meg Cabot


3.5 Stars


Goodreads synopsis:
Heather Wells is used to having her cake and eating it too, but this time her cake just might be cooked. Her wedding cake, that is.

With her upcoming nuptials to PI Cooper Cartwright only weeks away, Heather's already stressed. And when a pretty junior turns up dead, Heather's sure things can't get worse—until every student in the dorm where she works is a possible suspect, and Heather's long-lost mother shows up.

Heather has no time for a tearful mother and bride reunion. She has a wedding to pull off and a murder to solve. Instead of wedding bells, she might be hearing wedding bullets, but she's determined to bring the bad guys to justice if it's the last thing she does . . . and this time, it just might be.

 I love Meg Cabot, and you really cannot go wrong with one of her books. I almost felt like the series could have ended with the last book, but it was certainly a great read. As always Heather Wells kept me on my toes with this one. I did feel like maybe Cooper (Heather's fiance) took on Heather's role for 'crazy'...a little. I am also hoping with some of the parts, that there may-perhaps be another book...we will see!