Review: Clockwork Angel (Book One of The Infernal Devices) by Cassandra Clare

First Thoughts
I found THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS completely brilliant, but for some unknown reason, I kept putting off starting THE INFERNAL DEVICES. I'm completely kicking myself now - I loved every single page, and can not wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!!

So, what's it about? 
"Magic is dangerous - but love is more dangerous still."*

It's Victorian England, and a ship is docking from New York. On it, is sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray waiting to meet her brother, but when she arrives, she is kidnapped and forced to practice powers she never knew she had.
Suddenly rescued by Will, alone and afraid, she takes refuge with the Shadowhunters - those who hunt demons. Here she learns about the Downworld; a place of vampires and warlocks and a whole array of other supernaturals.
As she learns more about the world she is quickly tumbling deeper and deeper into, she starts to feel something for two boys who are as close as brothers... But she's being hunted. Someone wants her. And her powers.

Thoughts and opinions
Because I'd already read THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS, I'm familiar with the world of the Shadowhunters and the Downworld, and it was one I've been itching to return too.
The difference is that this series, has been set at a much earlier date than the first. I'm a huge lover of stories set in the Victorian era for a number of reasons. So, the first, and the biggest, is how relationships had to be conducted in order to be 'proper'. Character A cannot simply fall into bed with B and then pretend that nothing happened; okay, yes, they could but the implications are much higher than that of those set in current times. For relations to develop to that respect, marriage has to (/should) happen, which again adds all sorts of boundaries to cross in itself. Small touches and words seem to carry more weight, with small things such as calling people by their first name, or even more so shortening their first name, means a lot.
Onto the characters! The majority of the book is following Tessa, (although it does swap to others at times, especially towards the end,), who is wonderful! She's witty and quick, and the comebacks that expire between herself and Will do cause some real laugh out loud moments!
Will is also an incredible character. He's painted as the 'dark moody' kind of guy, but he's very quick witted with it, and is a constant source of amusement. From the first few chapters, he fast shot up on my list of favorite male leads, simply from the way him and Tessa bounce off each other.
For readers of THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS, a familiar face makes his appearance, and I was so happy to see him here, being his usual self, and it's clear that he's staying through the next book at least!
The last few chapters were really intense, and there's no way at all I would have seen those twists coming from a mile away! It's a complete cliff hanger at the end, and I'm hoping I can pick up a copy of CLOCKWORK PRINCE (the second book in the series) really soon!

Final verdict 
Beautifully written and crafted, this is a must for any paranormal romance lover! Victorian London is the perfect setting for this intense tale, and it will leave you waiting and wishing for your next fix of Shadowhunters!

About the authorCassandra Clare has also written a sister series called THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS, the sixth and next book of which is out in September 2014.  The third book of THE INFERNAL DEVICES is out in March 19th 2013! A third series of books featuring the Shadowhunters is due out in 2015 called THE DARK ARTIFACTS! THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS is currently under casting for the movie that is on the way!

Visit her website: http://www.cassandraclare.com/
Check out her blog:  http://cassandraclare.tumblr.com/
Follow her on twitter:@cassieclare
Or learn more about Shadowhunters here!: http://www.shadowhunters.com/index.php
More info about the movie!:  http://www.cassandraclare.com/faq/who-has-been-cast-in-the-mortal-instruments-movie/

More books like this? 
FALLEN by Laura Kate
THE SPLENDOR FALLS by Rosemary Clement-Moore
ALL THESE THINGS I'VE DONE by Gabrielle Zevin

*This quote is taken from the prologue of CLOCKWORK ANGEL. 

Review: All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

First thoughts 
I've really been loving Dystopian fiction recently, and I think after the success of THE HUNGER GAMES movie, we'll be seeing more of it over the next couple of years.


So, what's it about? 
It's New York, and the year is 2082.
In a world where many things, including chocolate, caffeine and camera phones are banned, a sixteen year old girl is being arrested, and facing imprisonment, for attempted murder.
With her grandmother only alive thanks to life support machines, her eighteen year old brother with a mental age of eight, and her little sister to look out for, Anya needs to be there for them.
That's when the District Attorney offers her a choice. She can watch helplessly as he destroys her family; or she can stay away from his son. Easy choice? Not when his son is the boy Anya loves.
With her parents dead, and the rest of her family deep in the criminal underworld, to keep everyone safe, she's going to have to make the right choices.

Thoughts and opinions 
Straight away, I loved Anya. She's strong, funny and witty, reminding me of other protagonists such as Katniss, (THE HUNGER GAMES) and Triss (DIVERGENT).
Having a protagonist that is feisty is always brilliant and adds some laugh out loud moments, and with in the first few chapters, this is shown in abundance! However, soon her 'spirit' leads her into trouble... of course.
Religion has been wound into the story cleverly, and has its place through out. It adds dimensions too, and I think it's actually an important thing to include when a story is set in the future. If religion has lasted through the years of scientific discovery, chances are it's not going away any time soon, and it helps make this story feel very real. (Although, it's worth pointing out, what ever religion you may or not be, it will make no difference to your enjoyment of the story! Its just something I always find interesting when authors include it in their writing.)
Gable, Anya's boyfriend at the start of the book (soon to be -ex boyfriend,) is someone I would like to kick. Hard. Where it hurts. Which is good, because it makes Anya's actions completely understandable (and okay, yes, encouraged!).
Will and Anya have a Romeo and Juliet romance, with Anya's family being deep in the criminal underworld, and Will's father being the District Attorney. It's clear that their relationship isn't going to happen easily, and they have a lot of things to work though if they are going to be together. Will is wonderful, he's strong and funny and I think he's going to be very loyal over the series.
So, sometimes, secondary characters really are just that - secondary. They become blurs in the background, people whose name you forget when you've put the book down for a day or so. The families become known more by their labels 'brother', 'sister' ect; but not here. In fact, I'm going to mention them now.
Leo is Anya's eighteen year old brother. He should be the head of the family, looking out for the rest of them. However, at the age of eight, an accident left him severely brain damaged, and his mental age hasn't been able to progress. We watch as he tries to make his own decisions, and the incomprehensible frustration of knowing what has happened to him, but being unable to do anything about it.
Then, we have to watch Anya's grandma, only alive thanks to a single machine that she's on all the time. Along with the little sister, Natty, Anya has to watch out for everyone - a lot of responsibility for a sixteen year old.
Also, the rest of their family play a big part in the plot. Making it a family business, means there's always going to be the strong connection too them, as hard as Anya tries to keep Leo away and her small little family safe.


Final verdict
Action packed, cleverly crafted and attention grabbing from the first page, this is defiantly a series to watch out for! Defiantly looking forward to the next book coming out asap!


About the author 
ALL THESE THINGS I'VE DONE, is Gabrielle Zevin's fifth novel, the first in this series. Her other works for young adults are MEMOIRS OF A TEENAGE ANIMISTIC and ELSEWHERE. She has also written two novels for adults.

Visit her website here: http://www.memoirsofa.com/
Her blog here: http://gabriellezevin.tumblr.com/
Or follow her on twitter: @gabriellezevin
Or like on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gabriellezevinfanpage



More books like this? 
THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins
DELIRIUM by Lauren Oliver
DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth

Review: Die For Me by Amy Plum

First words
I loved this book from the start. The cover is gorgeous and I was dawn into it from the very first page. From then, it kept me stuck to my seat until I turned the final page!


So, what's it about? 
"[She] had said that meeting me had transformed Vincent. I had given him 'new life'... But was he expecting me to save his soul?"*

When sixteen-year old Kate, and her older sister, Georgia, move to live with their grandparents in Paris, Kate isn't living - she's just existing. A week before Christmas, a car crash killed her parents, and now she's far away from everything that was her old life in Brooklyn. She looses herself in a world of books and art - then Vincent appears.

With his dark hair, olive skin, and clear blue eyes she's entranced from the moments their eyes meet.

But he's hiding something...

When Kate watches helplessly as his friend pushes a man from the tracks of the train, before being hit himself, she knows that this is bigger than anything she could have imagined ... and she's walked straight into the middle of it.

What will she sacrifice for love?

Thoughts and opinions 
Take me to Paris. Now. Pretty please?!
The city is described in such a wondrous way; with winding paths and ancient architecture, quaint, petite cafe's and romantic moonlight - it's beautiful! Not many books of this genera, (actually, any, that I can think of off the top of my head!), are set in France. With Paris having well earned it's romantic airs, any story set here is sure to have a love story to rival all others - Kate and Vincent most defiantly do. 

Kate is wonderful - she's quick, witty and funny, with more than enough heartbreak in her past to sympathize  with and all together shape her into a whole, real, feeling person. Any protagonist that has a true love of books, is destined to be a favorite character of mine, and the way in which Kate escapes into a world of words and art, is one I fully relate to in every way!

Vincent is firstly, yes, (*sigh!*), simply gorgeous. With dark hair, olive skin, blue eyes and a french accent he is the ideal of dark, sexy and mysterious. The catch? He's sweet, funny and kind. Forget Patch of HUSH-HUSH or Jace from THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS, Vincent has the 'bad-boy' vibe with out any of the cockiness or harsh words.

But, of course, it's not as simple as it seems.

This take on Revenant's is clever. It's unique. It has consent, heart aching consequences and a gang of deadly, killer enemies.

The rest of Vincent's group, are made up of a brilliant mix of characters, and there's even the small hints of a love triangle.. . it has everything, all in one stunningly written package.



Final verdict 
Fresh, breathtaking and beautifully told, DIE FOR ME will keep you to clinging to every last word. It will take you away to Paris in all it's splendor and glory, all it's culture and all it's mystery; this is truly a story you will not want to miss.


About the author
DIE FOR ME is the first novel by Amy Plum. The second book in the trilogy is UNTIL I DIE and the final book, IF I SHOULD DIE, is due to be released in May 2013!

Visit her website at:  http://www.amyplumbooks.com/
Follow her on twitter:  @AmyPlumOhLaLa 
Like her FaceBook page:  http://www.facebook.com/amyplumfanpage?ref=sgm
Or, check out her blog!:  http://www.amyplumbooks.com/blog/

More books like this? 
FINDING SKY by Joss Stirling
PROVIDENCE by Jamie McGuire
MY BLOOD APPROVES by Amanda Hocking

*This quote is taken from the prologue of DIE FOR ME. 

Review: He's After Me by Chris Higgins

First words
I hadn't seen this book before yesterday, but after scouting around my local library, it caught my eye and I decided to give it a read!

So, what's it about?
"I shriek, and now I am running, as fast as I can, down the pitch-dark street. He is chasing me. He's not trying to be quiet now. He's after me."*

When her dad left her mum for his new girlfriend, Anna's life slowly started to fall apart.
But then she meets Jem. Handsome and mysterious, he's a photography student who loves art and music - he introduces her to a whole new world. Soon she's in love and falling fast, but what will she sacrifice for him?
Meanwhile, something - someone - else is happening. Following. Watching.
Not all love stories have a happy ending.


Thoughts and opinions
Now, too begin with, I found myself (incorrectly), disappointed. I thought Jem was a typical 'bad-boy-who-actually-is-very-arty-and-expressive-ect'. As the story progresses, this becomes questionable to say the least.
Anna is likable, however, she is very naive. I yelled at her quite a few times, but she apparently didn't couldn't hear me!
While most of the book is written from Anna's prospective, every chapter or so, there is a paragraph by someone else. We don't know who though. But he's watching and he's waiting. He's after her.
Now, these paragraphs are what kept me hooked for the first part of the story while Anna is falling in love with Jem (which I would say happens to fast, however,I guess it needs too for the story to work, so as far as I'm concerned, its okay really.), but then suddenly the story from Anna's prospective starts to pick up pace.
This book will scare you, and it will surprise you. It'll keep you guessing, and then guessing again.
 If I'm to describe this book, it's like a snow ball. It starts off rolling down the hill, but then as it continues, it gets faster and faster, and bigger and bigger, until right at the end it smashed into a brick wall.
The ending is unexpected, and fast. It picks you up and then drops you, leaving you gasping for breath.
I have a feeling that this is the type of book that will only get better the more times you read it - and I am going to be reading it again. Soon.


More books like this?
STOLEN by Lucy Christopher
THE ETERNAL ONES by Kirsten Miller
BEAUTIFUL DISASTER by Jamie McGuire


Final verdict
With twists, turns and lies across every page, this book picks up the intensity until in finishes with a final, booming explosion.

About the authorHE'S AFTER ME, is Chris Higgins fist book for elder teens, but she has written seven other novels for younger teens including LOVE YA BABE and A PERFECT 10.

Visit her website here: http://www.chrishigginsthatsme.com
Buy it off amazon here!


*The indicated quote is taken from the blurb of HE'S AFTER ME

Review: North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley

First Words
This is another book I've looked at for what seems like forever, but never picked up to read. After finishing it, I'm struggling to think why on earth I didn't read it sooner! I related to this book on so many levels, so maybe it was just waiting for the perfect time to come into my life...but the important part is that it has.

So, what's it about?
Terra is tall, she's blond, and she has a stunning body. What then, could be the problem? With just one glance at her cheek, a port-wine birth mark flaws her face and in that second, that is all people remember.
Desperate to leave high school and escape her small town and unbearable father, she is graduating early and is ready to leave and start again.
Then Jacob slams into her life. A good looking Goth boy who is about to challenge everything in her life - including herself. Can he make her see what True Beauty really is?

Thoughts and opinions
First, I want to talk about Jacob. Oh Jacob. How I love thee! Thank you, oh thank you, to Justina Chen Headley, for steering away from over used male stereo types, and coming up with someone totally unique. A Chinese Goth boy, is not something we often get the pleasure of seeing. He is written beautifully, and his reasons behind being a Goth, are so true, and it was one of the things I related to strongly. If people are going to stare, give them something to stare at. Make a statement.
Now Terra. Damn this girl is brilliant. It's hard, because I don't want to go into too much detail and give away anything from the story, but there are a few things I will say.
Her boyfriend Erik - I get it. I understand why she is with him, and why she doesn't want to break up with him. Next, her face. The idea that make-up is a mask, is one that I feel is true. That's not coming from someone who doesn't wear make-up by the way, it's coming from someone who won't step out the door with out it. Here, is another place I relate to Terra.
I seem to keep picking up books where the romance develops far to quickly. This, thankfully, was not one of those books. It's a relationship that twists and turns; pauses and races, with two characters that come together yet challenge each other; it's real.
The writing is similar to that of Sarah Dessen. I found it perfectly paced, and just when you though you knew what was coming, it changed and left you wondering again. Very humbling in places, it will make you value what you have, and is another book that makes you want to scream at the 'ideals' society places on everyone.
It will also make you want to go geocaching. Desperately.

More books like this?
SKIN DEEP by Laura Jarratt
JUST LISTEN by Sarah Dessen
PAPER TOWNS by John Green

Final Verdict 
A heartfelt, thought provoking novel that will stay with you for a long time. Beautifully written and artfully told, the next work by Justina Chen Headley certainly has a lot to live up too - and I'm sure it will!

About the author
Justina Chen Headley's fist book was NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH (AND A FEW WHITE LIES) and the second GIRL OVERBOARD. NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL has been her third release.

You can visit her website: http://www.justinachenheadley.com/
Or follow her on twitter: @JustinaYChen
Check out the internet reading club for teenage girls she co-founded: http://www.readergirlz.com
Or buy the book of amazon here!

Review: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

First words
I've been meaning to read ACROSS THE UNIVERSE for a while, but until now haven't had a chance to do so. This is a Sci-Fi / murder mystery, and I hadn't read any books like this before, and was really looking forward to giving it a go!

So, what's it about?
Stored. Un-moving. Frozen in time for 300 years. Sent out into the depth of the universe. Ready to start again on a new planet. That was the plan.
Fifty years before the spaceship Godspeed is due to land, a seventeen year old girl is woken suddenly, violently and with out warning. It's a murder attempt, and hers is only the beginning. Who would try to kill the people who are there to help build the new planet?
But this is only half the problem. Once Amy is awoken, she can not be frozen again. She's on board a spaceship with her parents still frozen in the chambers below. Alone and afraid, she's named a freak and a outcast by the residents of Godspeed.
Apart from one boy. "He want's to protect her - and more if she'll let him..."*

Thoughts and opinions
I think there's a few different fundamental parts to this book
First; the Sci-Fi parts. I adored them. Godspeed is a brilliant ship, and it's beautifully imageined and incredibly well described. The reasons for Godspeeds creation, the reasons behind the new planet, and the way in which Amy and everyone is frozen, together form the base line of the story. It's done with a precise amount of complexity and simplicity keeping interesting enough to be guessing things for yourself, but simple enough that you don't have to keep flicking back and re-reading everything.
I would say the romance in this is more of a sub-plot, and the story isn't built around it by itself. Saying that, the romance has potential to progress through the next book, and I'd like to see more of it! The next book in the series A MILLION SUNS is out now, and I'm actually really exited about ordering it. Lots of questions are left unanswered at the end of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, and I defiantly want to see where Amy's relationship goes.
Of the few small things that could possibly be improved on; one) I felt it was a little slow to start, and two) some parts of the 'romance' I thought were a little rushed or un-explanatory / followed up.
Its written from both Amy's point of view, and Elder's. He's due to be the next leader of Godspeed, and through him, we learn more about Godspeed and how the people are managed. He is brilliantly written; strong but unsure of himself, and trying to think desperately how to show Amy that Godspeed isn't as bad as she thinks it is.

Final verdict
A exiting, imaginative and fast-paced, debut novel by Beth Revis, that's made me want to read some more Sci-Fi -  it will leave you waiting for the next book with bated breath!

About the author
This is Beth Revis's first novel, and the next book in the series is A MILLION SUNS. The final book, SHADES OF EARTH, is due to be released in early 2013.

You can visit her website at: http://www.bethrevis.com
Or her blog at: http://bethrevis.blogspot.co.uk/
Follow her on twitter: @bethrevis
Or buy the book off amazon here!

*The indicated quote is taken from the blurb of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE. 

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

*Be aware, this book contains spoliers if you haven't yet read the first book in the series ,DIVERGENT!* 


First Words 
I absolutely adored  DIVERGENT, and have been eagerly waiting to buy INSURGENT. As soon as I started reading the first page I knew this was going to be good!

What's it about? 
"I have done bad things. I can't take them back, and they are part of who I am."*

After the Erudite's attack on the Abnegation, both Tris's parents are dead, the Dauntless are divided and Tris is haunted by the results of the battle. While under the Erudite's control, her friend, Will, tried to shoot her. She had no choice - she shot him before he could kill her.
Wracked with guilt, and trying to cope the loss of her parents, Tris is compelled to learn the truth behind the attack and discover the thing that her father may have gave his life for. But in doing so, she might just have to sacrifice everything ... and loose everyone.

Thoughts and opinions 
So firstly, I'm going to go ahead and recommend you re-read DIVERGENT before starting this book. INSURGENT jumps straight into the action, and while things are explained, it might be easier to keep up from the first page if DIVERGENT is fresh in your mind!
Either way however, this is another incredible book by Veronica Roth! It really does dive straight in, which I always love, and every page is full of action and suspense.
I feel Tris goes through some changes in this book; she becomes a stronger and more determined person, whether it's through guilt and anguish or not is debatable. At the end of the last book, we see her making tough choices, and they certainly don't become any easier through this one. At times, for a second, I wanted to yell at Tris a little, but then I stopped and thought about it, and then understood exactly why she was doing what she was doing, and got back to waving my 'Go-Tris-Go!' pom-pom's.
Tobias (or Four) and Tris's relationship comes under imminence pressure as the story progresses. Tris needs to find out the truth, but Tobias disagrees and has his own plans. More secrets are revealed, and lies are kept, but I have to say through everything, I still believe they are meant to be together. You'll have to read it for yourself to see if their relationship can survive the struggles, but I will just say, I really love how Tobias is written. He's different to other male leads in his strong belief in doing the right thing, but his love for Tris is deep and true.
Lots of plot twists and results that I certainly didn't see coming will happen, and at the end you'll be staring at the wall, starting to count down the days until the final book is released!

Final Verdict
Brilliant sequel that takes takes the reader on a whirlwind of action, anguish and romance. Definitely lives up to DIVERGENT!

About the author
INSURGENT is the second book by Veronica Roth, the first being DIVERGENT. The third book in the series is currently due out in the Autumn of 2013.

You can visit her blog at:  http://veronicarothbooks.blogspot.co.uk/ 
Follow her on twitter: @veronicaroth
Or buy the book from amazon  here!

*The indicated quote was taken from the blurb of INSURGENT