Book Review- Clockwork Angel

(From Goodreads) When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.


This book was pretty cool. I've been kinda hesitant to read her books because they've gotten so much attention, but the other day I picked this book up at the library and decided to read it. 

I was surprised by how much I liked it. Lately I've been reading more and more paranormal books, but that's okay. As long as they aren't ridiculous, like Twilight, I'll be okay reading them. This book had good characters, although I didn't really like Will. One moment I liked him, and the next I didn't. It was mostly because he came off as an arrogant idiot to me. I love Jem though, he's cool. Although I rather there wasn't a love triangle going on around here.

I thought that the world was very developed and not only did I love learning about the Shadowhunters and their world, but I loved learning about the characters and what made them to be who they are. I thought that Jessamine had a cool name and I basically thought that the whole book was nicely well done. The other characters were cool too, I loved Henry and Charlotte. Henry was funny, Charlotte was cool, and together I thought that they made a cute couple. Although I didn't like her brother one bit. Especially after what he confessed to do. I kinda forgave him in the end, but I still didn't like him. 

As for the plot, it was interesting as was the ending. I feel bad for Tessa (love that name) and I'm curious as to what she really is and what her parents were. I love the word choices, because there were words that I had to look up. It made me so happy, because sometimes I feel that a lot of books don't try to use challenging words anymore. 


I thought that Classandra Clare has a very beautiful style of writing. I love her descriptions of everything, although sometime they got to be a little much. Her writing drew me in as did the humor in the story. 


Another thing that I thought that cool was that how the Shadowhunters are Nephilim. And the cool thing about that, is that the Nephilim actually existed. They are found in Genesis. Where it mentions that the angels thought that the human women were beautiful and had offspring together. Well then God saw that we, humans, were wicked and so He sent this giant flood to kill the humans, but He saved Noah and his family so that they could repopulate the earth...but I'm sure you already knew that. Did you also know that in pretty much every culture there's a story about a world wide flood or a giant flood and a couple people live through it? 


Another part I really thought that cool was the Marks and how they gave the Shadowhunters special abilities. I love their angel swords and how they give them names. Plus the names that were used for the special swords were really cool. 


Another fun thing was that this book is steampunk. And I really like steampunk as of now. It's cool. Anyways, I'm rambling now! So, I'll come and say that I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait for the next one, Clockwork Prince, to come out. 


On Goodreads: Clockwork Angel
Her Website: Classandra Clare



So, what are some of your favorite steampunk novels? Have you read any of Classandra Clare's books? If you have, what did you think of them? 


Sincerely,
Peony

Book Review- Guardian of the Gate

The ultimate battle between sisters is nearing, and its outcome could have catastrophic consequences. As sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe searches for a way to end the prophecy, her twin sister Alice hones the skills she'll need to defeat Lia. Alice will stop at nothing to reclaim her sister's role in the prophecy, and that's not the only thing she wants: There's also Lia's boyfriend James.

Lia and Alice always knew the Prophecy would turn those closest to them against them. But they didn't know what betrayal could lead them to do. In the end, only one sister will be left standing.


I had high expectations when I first started reading this book. Since I really liked the first book, I was hoping this one would be even more exciting. But...it didn't meet my expectations. 


The characters were pretty good, everyone seemed realistic enough. But the first thing that bugged me was that the book is set several months after they leave for London, so we don't get to see them search for the keys. 


Anyways, at this party Lia meets this dashing man who is mysterious and stuff. (Here comes what really ruined the book for me) As Lia is being chased by these Hell hounds, the man she met at the party, Dimitri, suddenly appears. And guess what! First we see that the Hounds don't even try to go after him, but then he confesses that he's part of some supernatural thing that Lia's father was apart of. 


So after he saves her, Lia gets her to tell him who he really is and then he tells her that *gasp* he's been watching her to keep her safe! Apparently that really didn't bug her all that much, especially after having met only twice, that Dimitri confesses that he feels like he's known her all her life and then Lia says the same cheesy lines and Bam! Their in love! And then they make out for the rest of the night. 


And I kinda really wanted to slap Lia and say, "are you out of your mind? You barely know the guy! And what about James?" 


Ah yes, James, now he's the real love interest I like. He actually knows Lia and has a reason to be in love with her. But as we find out from Alice, James has been spending more and more time with her since Lia has left. So after burning his letter and thinking that it'd be better for the both of them, Lia feels bad about "loving" Dimitri. and she only mentions this a couple of times. 


So, now onto what I did like. I thought that there was much more excitement and adventure in this book than the other one. It has a stronger sense of danger. Plus at first we think that Lusia is betraying Lia but no, it was actually Sonia, who has accidently let the Spirits into her mind. But after they get to Atlus, the Sisters there manage to save Sonia and Lia learns some important stuff about where to find the pages from her dying aunt. 


The ending was okay, it was exciting and I think it met my expectations but I'm not sure. It was good anyways because not only does she find the pages, but Lia confronts Alice for one of the last times. 


The writing was good, as was her descriptions. I love her descriptions and Lia's voice actually. Will I read the next book? Sure, but I won't have as high as expectations for it. 


Offial Website: Michelle Zink
On Goodreads: Guardian of the Gate
First Book Review: Prophecy of the Sisters
So, have you ever read a book where the first one was really good but the second one wasn't?


Sincerely,
Peony

Book Review- Halo

Three angels- Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, the youngest and most human- are sent by Heaven to bring good to a world falling under the influence of darkness. They must work hard to conceal their luminous glow, superhuman powers, and, most dangerous of all, their wings, all the while avoiding all human attachments. 

Then Bethany meets Xavier Woods, and neither of them is able to resist the attraction between them. Gabriel and Ivy do everything in their power to intervene, but the bond between Xavier and Bethany seems too strong. 

The angel’s mission is urgent, and dark forces are threatening. Will love ruin Bethany or save her?


Tip: Don't judge a book by the cover. Ayways, so the cover caught my eye right away and I was pleased to find a paranormal romance that wasn't so dark and dreamy unlike the majority of paranormal books today. I enjoyed not seeing so much darkness in this story. The cover clearly is a good representative of the story and it's very pretty. It was surprising find that it was about angels where an angel falls in love with a human rather then it being the other way around. 


While I thought that there was a lot of romance for this book, I was expecting it from the book blurb and the reviews I read here on Goodreads. But unlike the rest of the reviewers who only gave this book one or two stars I thought that Ms. Adornetto's style of writing and her choice of words was great. I loved seeing new words I didn't know and having to look them up. It was great. I was surprised to find that that Ms. Adornetto is a teen author. It gives other teen writers like myself hope that we too can get published. 


While Xavier did seem to be Mr. Prefect at times (actually a lot of the times) I enjoyed reading about him and Beth. I thought that his family portrayed a family that we could very much know. Although the characters were good, I thought that the whole "prom is such a big deal!" from the girls Beth was friends with was a little overboard. While Prom is a big deal, most girls I know don't plan their whole year trying to find dresses and stuff. We usually worry about that two or one month ahead. 


Unlike some people I enjoyed seeing the religon in this book sense I am a strong Christian, and in a way it was comforting. But even with this I thought it was interesting to see Beth's (not sure if it's Alexandra Adornetto's version either) version of what heaven is like. And I loved how her angels were different from how other angels are. The part that their skin glows, their wings are paper thin, and they have no naval is cool. 


As an angel turning human, I thought that Beth's transition from being a supernatural being to something more mortal was well portrayed. If I was an angel I would probably act the same way. Seeing how Gabriel and Ivy acted and responded to events and Beth's actions was interesting. You could tell that they clearly cared about her and their mission. I thought that for being one of the most important angels, Gabe was a good character. He wasn't arrogant or mean, but distant and reserved. Ivy was how I would imagine someone like her to be. 


The only part that I found remotely towards their actual mission was when Jack Thorn shows up. And even though they have proof that is was him causing all trouble, they don't do anything about it towards the very end. 


All in all, it was an interesting book. I thought that there was alot of unnecessary stuff and that the book could have been shorter. Beth could have been a stronger character too. Would I recommend it? Probably not. Will I read the next one? Maybe. I'm still deciding. 


So, what do you think about angel books? If you were an angel from heaven to help save the world, how would you go about it? And what would you change first?


On Goodreads: Halo by Alexandra Adornetto
Her Goodreads page (I can't get to her website listed there): Alexandra Adornetto


Sincerely,
Peony

Book Review- Prophecy of the Sisters

An ancient prophecy divides two sisters-
One good...
One evil...
Who will prevail?
Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets. 
Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.
They just know they can't trust each other.


In the first book in this series I found this book at my library and started to read it while waiting for my brother to come pick me up. I usually don't really paranormal/gothic books but as of late I've somewhat been getting into them (mind you, I still will not pick up a vampire book). I've seen this book before at the bookstore but I never bothered picking it up because I was too busy buying the books I originally came for. 


When I began reading it I fell in love with Michelle Zink's writing style. It's first person in present tense (I think). One of the reasons I think I love this point of view is because I'm writing one of my books in this PoV too. So it helps me see how other writers have handled it. The second thing that drew me in was Lia's voice and the way she told the story. I also loved the way Ms. Michelle words her sentences. 


I thought that the prophecy was interesting, the way she wrote it was cool. And I like the mystery and the quest that Lia has to take. I thought that the characters were nicely done. I disliked Alice, although I never could figure out if Lia and Alice were close when they were young. Although I enjoyed Sonia's character, I thought that she trusted Lia too soon and that they became friends too quickly. Although I enjoyed the slight romantic pieces in the story, I was disappointed how Lia didn't tell James about the prophecy. Poor James! And he really is cute! I liked Aunt Victoria's part in the story, I thought she did well, as did Lia's brother Henry. Poor Henry, I hate the ending! 


The rules that was laid out for the Outerworlds and the rules set upon Lia and Alice are interesting. As is the parts about their births. I wasn't expecting it. Although there were a lot of surprises in the story but to me I had already figured them out by the time they were revealed. Maybe it's cause I'm a writer or it was just really clear what was going to happen in some parts. 


At times I thought that some parts were rushed and that the characters did things for no reason (like how Alice and her friend got to see Sonia and then Alice gets mad at the end of the visit). And although I thought that the Outerworlds was cool, the whole spirit talker and spirit world thing bugs me. I don't apporve of people who try to talk to the dead at all so I wasn't thrilled with this part. I also thought that Lia should have been more..afraid of this whole thing. Where was her screaming, "why me?" She seemed to take the fact that she could very much help end the world at any time pretty calmly. It didn't seem to scared her witless. (I mean think about it, what would you do if you could help end the world?)


I liked the setting. Although I've seen alot of the 1890s in books lately. Maybe it's the Luxe series to blame? But I think that the time period fits. The part where the little girl randomly shows up was weird. I mean she just shows up and then reappears whenever Lia loses the ribbon. Who is this girl?! 


The other part that bugged me was that Lia didn't seem to grieve all that much over her father's death. She did a little at first, but then afterwards it's...nothing. Where was her crying and sobbing over his death? I mean, from what the story implied they seemed pretty close. And then only a couple pages here and there have speaks of her being sad over his death.  


Overall I really liked this book. I thought it was good but parts bugged me. Especially about the whole evil Beast and spirit talker people. 


Offial Website: Michelle Zink
On Goodreads: Prophecy of the Sisters

*By the way, Mondays will also be Book Reviews again along with Poetry because of the excessive amount of books I'm reading during the summer. Probably during the school year I'll change it back to just Poetry.

So, have you ever read any books with end of the world stuff (besides zombies)? How about books with twins in them?

Sincerely,
Peony