Review: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Publication Date: May 27th, 2014

Paperback/Hardcover: 725

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Find it at: Goodreads / Bookdepository

Summary:

In this dazzling and long-awaited conclusion to the acclaimed Mortal Instruments series, Clary and her friends fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary's own brother.
Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell.
The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris - but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons?

When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee - even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned...

Love will be sacrificed and lives lost in the terrible battle for the fate of the word in the thrilling final installment of the classic urban fantasy series The Mortal Instruments!

Review:

I’m not completely sure why but it took me a long time to decide I should pick this book up. I mean, I was curious to see how the Mortal Instruments would end, of course, but I held back on starting City of Heavenly Fire.

I finally started reading this book when Lady Midnight came out and actually thought it was good. I have to confess I’m one of those people who believes this series could have ended nicely in City of Glass but was not disappointed with City of Heavenly Fire.

I really liked the way the characters grew in this book. Clary, Jace, Simon, Isabelle, Alec and Magnus are great and all of them brought something essential to the story and the relationships between them were always able to keep me entertained and I have to confess I do think Sebastian makes a good villain.

When it comes to the story, I think it developed and ultimately ended nicely. Nothing is overly rushed, on the contrary, and it works here. The story does culminate as it should and I think it was a good end to a good series.

I’m ready to start reading Lady Midnight now!

Rating: Worth Yout Time (4 Stars).

Review - Opposition (Lux 05) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Opposition (Lux 05) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Publication Date: August 5th, 2014

Paperback/Hardcover: 352

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal 

Find it at: Goodreads  / Bookdepository

Summary:  
Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.
She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.
They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.

Review:   

As some of you might know, I'm a big Jennifer L. Armentrout fan and her books. It took me a little while to start Opposition (maybe because I didn't want the series to end) but once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. 

Opposition starts shortly after the last book ended and things are not looking good for humans or Katy who doesn't know exactly what happened to Daemon after all the other luxen came to earth. Can Daemon really have decided to join the luxen and leave Katy behind?

All our favorite characters are back in this book and, as always, they are kickass and very well-written. 

I always liked Katy and thought she was a very good main character. She's smart, tough and not afraid to stand up for herself. Plus, I always liked the fact she often has a comeback ready for Deamon. 

Daemon is, of course, my favorite character. He's cocky, witty and all around amazing. He's also very protective of the ones he loves, which becomes very clear in this book. He really is a great character.

I also like Dawson and Beth and I was happy with the ending they got. The same goes for Dee and Archer. 

Plus, I enjoyed Hunter's appearance in this book. 

Plotwise, the story revolves around the arrival of millions of luxen in earth and their plans to take over. As with the other books in the series, the plot is very interesting and the story develops at a nice pace. The book is very well-written and I couldn't put it down until I knew how Katy and Daemon's story was going to end. 

I have to confess I'm sad this series is over, though. I mean, I could always use a little bit more of Daemon!

All in all, the whole Lux series is a great series which I really enjoyed. The plot is original and the character interesting and well-developed.

If you haven't started reading this series yet, what are you waiting for? Daemon will win you over.

Rating: Somewhere between Worth Your Time and Must Read (4 Stars)

Review - Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle 03) by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle 03) by Maggie Stiefvater

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: October 21st, 2014

Paperback/Hardcover: 391

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal 

Find it at: Goodreads  / Bookdepository

Summary:  

There is danger in dreaming. But there is even more danger in waking up.

Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs.

The trick with found things though, is how easily they can be lost.

Friends can betray.

Mothers can disappear.

Visions can mislead.

Certainties can unravel.

Review:   

I’ve read the previous two books in this series and really enjoyed them so I definitely had to read this one.

Blue’s mother is missing and Gansey seems no closer to finding Glendower. To make this worse, a new character is in town looking for the Grey Man and for revenge.

I’m so glad I was finally able to read this book! Gansey is still a very good character. He’s definitely diferent and I’m not always able to figure him out but the truth is, without him, the Raven Boys group wouldn’t be the same.

Blue is rying to find her mother while dealing with feeling she knows she shouldn’t have.

Have I mentioned I love Ronan? In a way he’s my favorite character in the books. He’s extremely complex and even though he tries to pretend he doesn’t care about anything he really does. He’s not as thought as he would like people to think and I think that’s exactly what makes him such a great character. He’s wild but he cares a lot  for his friends and family.

Of course I also think Adam is great. He changed a lot in the last three books but he’s still a very interesting character. He’s noble and hardworking and I really liked reading about him and Ronan.

Even though they don’t want to admit it, the romance between Blue and Gansey is blossoming. In a way they can’t stay away from each other even knowing they shouldn’t be together. I’m curious to see how their relationship will develop in the next book because I actually think they would make a good couple if they could be one.

Plotwise, Lily Blue, Blue Lily is full of twists and turns and mysteries. That’s probably one of the reasons why I like this series so much: nothing is ever what it seems to be as gansey and the rest of the gang continue their search for  Glendower.

All in all, this book is very well-written and extremely interesting. The characters are great and there’s a lot of focus on their development. Plus, I really enjoy all the mystery and the quest for Glendower.

The book kep me interested right from the start until the end. Plus, Almost every chapter ends in a cliffhanger of some kind so I just couldn’t put it down.

I can’t wait to read the next book in the series and find out if Gansey will finally find his king. Plus, the book obviously ended in a little cliffhanger which only makes me want the next book more!

 If you haven’t started reading this series yet, you should definitely do it!

Rating: Somewhere between Worth Your Time and Must Read (4 Stars)

Review - Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements 02) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements 02) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Harlequin Teen 

Publication Date: October 21st, 2014

Paperback/Hardcover: 426

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal 

Find it at: Goodreads  / Bookdepository

Summary: 
Every touch has its price

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

Review:   

I really like Jennifer L. Armentrout so I definitely had to read this series. I really enjoyed White Hot Kiss and I’m happy to say Stone Cold Touch did not disappoint me!

Stone Cold Touch basically picks up where the previous book left off and Layla’s life is definitely not easy. She has a lot to deal with, including her feeling for Zayne and Roth, the warden’s distrust and a change in her powers.

I really like the characters in this series. Layla, our heroine is kickass and even though she doesn’t have it easy she keeps on fighting.

Our male characters are also great, of course and I have to confess I’m not completely sure whether I’m team Zayne or team Roth yet. I like both of them too much to be able to choose! I mean, I was team Zayne all the way for a while there but now… Now I really don’t know! Why does our demon prince have to be such a good character as well?

Plotwise, I enjoyed the little twists and turns in the book. For some reason I really didn’t see that end coming. I mean, I knew there was something wrong but I didn’t think that was it. I can’t wait for the next book now.

If you enjoy YA paranormal books you should definitely start reading this series!

Rating: Worth Your Time (4 Stars)