City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Ashes
Author: Cassandra Clare
Release date: 2008
Rating: 5/5
Publisher: McElderry Books
Book Summary:

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? Clary would love to spend more time with her best friend, Simon. But the Shadowhunters won't 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. When the second of the Mortal Instruments is stolen, the terrifying Inquistitor suspects Jace. Could Jace really be willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

Review:

The second instalment of The Mortal Instruments series doesn't fail to disappoint. Cassandra Clare's wonderful prose and her enticing descriptions always impress. I caught myself thinking about this book during tests at school! It was so amazing. I was always eager to know more.

In this page turning sequel, Clary Fray faces all sorts of challenges and discoveries that I don't think even she was ready for. Jace is her brother, Simon is in all sorts of danger, and the Inquisitor is doubting Jace's trustworthiness and putting him in extreme danger.

The Inquistor was a very interesting character in this story. She was tense and uptight, putting her foot down as a leader even though Maryse Lightwood is a control freak. She didn't trust Jace from the beginning, but what in her past has created this dissension?

Every page of this book had tension and action.

Ever page of this book wows you.

Every page of this book has a wonderful story to tell.

I loved this book from cover to cover! Currently reading City of Glass so the review should be up soon!

~M.A.Chase♥

Socialpunk by Monica Leonelle Review

Title: Socialpunk
Author: Monica Leonelle
Release date: March 27th 2012
Rating: 5/5
Publisher: Spaulding House
Book Summary:

Ima would give anything to escape The Dome and learn what’s beyond its barriers, but the Chicago government has kept all its citizens on lockdown ever since the Scorched Years left most of the world a desert wasteland. When a mysterious group of hooded figures enters the city unexpectedly, Ima uncovers a plot to destroy The Dome and is given the choice between escaping to a new, dangerous city or staying behind and fighting a battle she can never win.

Review:

You would think that the future would be better than it is today. But for Ima, her "present day" is anything else but. Ima's Earth has become unlivable after the Scorched Years which forced the population of the world to live in domes. In this action packed novel the reader is thrusted into a world foreign yet intriguing!

Right from the prologue I was intrigued and sucked into the marvels that Socialpunk had to offer. I was enveloped by a futuristic world that piked my interest. Leonelle's characters came to life in front of me and her beautiful prose made the world appear in my mind perfectly. I know that if I had enough free time to just sit and read the book I would have finished it in a day; never having put it down until it was done!

The ending left me on the ultimate cliff hanger and I wish there was more after it, but that's what the next book is for right? Another 100+ pages of awesome?! Haha. Thankfully I can continue rooting for the person I'm roothing for through the next book. ;D

I can't wait to get my hands on the next two books Socialmob and Socialhood. I know both of these following books will be just as amazing as the first.

Thank you Monica for allowing me to read and review it! It's been amazing and I hope we can continue to keep in touch!


~M.A.Chase♥

Trickster's Girl

Title: Trickster's Girl
Author: Hilari Bell
Release date: 1/3/11
Rating: 5/5
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Book Summary(From Goodreads): In the year 2098 America isn't so different from the USA of today. But, in a post-9/11 security-obssessed world, "secured" doesn't just refe...more In the year 2098 America isn't so different from the USA of today. But, in a post-9/11 security-obssessed world, "secured" doesn't just refer to borders between countries, it also refer to borders between states. Teenagers still think they know everything, but there is no cure for cancer, as Kelsa knows first-hand from watching her father die.
The night Kelsa buries her father, a boy appears. He claims magic is responsible for the health of Earth, but human damage disrupts its flow. The planet is dying.
Kelsa has the power to reverse the damage, but first she must accept that magic exists and see beyond her own pain in order to heal the planet.
 
Review: (I have to be careful about spoilers)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. No lie.
 
The minute the "mysterious boy" came into the picture I was swept away. I loved his personality and I loved Kelsa's too. The personalities would clash, but they also could co-exsist peacefully. :D They flowed together.
 
Kelsa was strong and--even though she can be cautious sometimes--brave. Raven(mystery boy) can be laid back and over confident. Though you fall in love with him the minute you start to get to know him. :D
 
It was action and it was adventure. Breaking rules and following them. Up and down. =D
 
For anyone who loves scifi and having a glimpse into the future this book is definately for you.
 
Interview with Hilari Bell coming soon :D
 
~M.A.CHASE♥

New Moon

Title: New Moon
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Release Date: 2006
Rating: 3/5
Publisher: Little, Brown
Book Summary:

I knew we were in mortal danger. Still, in an instant, I felt well. Whole. I could feel my heart racing in my chest, the blood pulsing hot and fast through my veins. My lungs filled deep with the sweet scent that came off his skin. It was like there had never been any hole in my chest. I was perfect--not healed, but as if there had never been a wound in the first place.

Review:

SPOILERS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK

The next book in the TWILIGHT SAGA.

Bella looses Edward in this book and for months she is broken and she feels lifeless. Then Jacob shows up. Jacob, the sixteen year old who doesn't know when to give up...

I really don't like Jacob at all. To me he just keeps persisting when he KNOWS that Bella is in love with Edward and what comes out of that? That's right. Bella starts to have feelings for him. Hurray now we have the wonderful mixed feelings when Edward almost dies.

In this book I really thought Edward was a psycho. She could have been in a coma for all he knew and he would have gone all the way to the Volutri to kill himself. Seriously, why can't he just make it a little less dramatic and go to figure out exactly WHOSE funeral it was. Not just assume that the funeral was for Bella.

Wouldn't you go to the town to see what was going on before you make rash assumptions that can get you killed..for good?

Then, because of Edward's "I'm going to kill myself" phase, the Volturi have now figured out that Bella is immune to mind reading, Jane's power of hurting people mentally and finally Aro's "reading every thought you've ever had" bit. And they also want to either kill her or turn her into a vampire because of how much she knows...great...

Thank you Edward.

Then to top everything off Jacob tells Charlie about Bella's motorcycle and she gets grounded for a long time.

Thank you Jacob.

Jacob is gone because of Edward.

Thank you Edward.

But now because of what Jacob accused Edward of he's really pissed.

Thank you Jacob.

~M.A.CHASE♥

Singer

Title: Singer
Author: Jean Thesman
Release date: 2005
Rating: 3½ of 5
Publisher: Penguin Group
Book Summary:

For years, Gwenore's mother, the witch Rhiamon, has abused and ignored her. Then Gwenore learns that she has secret allies—her nursemaid and a mysterious enchanter-priest. They help her escape, first to an abbey, then to the women's community of Blessingwood, and finally to the otherworldly Lir, where she serves as nursemaid to the king's four children. No matter where she goes, the young fugitive, now called Mary Singer, is pursued by Rhiamon—but she is also learning about her own magical powers. When she learns that Rhiamon has married King Lir, she is ready. Singer knows that her mother will try to kill the children. Now she must save their lives . . . and her own.

Review:
I really like the story. It's got a great plot, it's mysterious and it has magic that doesn't over power the MC.

It's the story of a girl who ran away from home in order to escape her witch of a mother (in both meanings of the word). She is lead away from all she's know and stays with the Blessingwood women where there they work on changing her appearance...and her name.

The story goes on with the mystery, the magic and the discovering of new talents and powers. The characters were pretty strong. The built a good core for the plot to circle around and they had very good backgrounds that later came into play.

The only thing that I didn't like that gave it it's 3½ is the ending. I didn't think the ending was very good at all.

SPOILER ALERT

Eragon

Title: Eragon
Author: Christopher Paolini
Release date: 2003
Rating: 5/5
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf New York
Book Summary(Goodreads): Fifteen-year-old Eragon believes that he is merely a poor farm boy—until his destiny as a Dragon Rider is revealed. Gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save—or destroy—the Empire.
Review:
I. Loved. It.

It was a beautiful book about Dragon and Rider. I got hooked on the first sentence of the Prologue!

The way it starts is, the boy, Eragon, is out hunting for food for his family. He finds a rare blue stone--which is later said to be a dragon egg. During the night his "stone" starts moving and shaking then opens up revealing the blue hatchling Saphira. The connection is made there, when Eragon pets her and they become Dragon and Rider.

As soon as Saphira is old enough--and big enough!-- to fly they set out on a perilous journey to take revenge on the people who've killed Eragon's uncle. Then The Journey Begins.

I've been in love with dragons before this book and this one made me love them even more!

Magic, dragons, mysteries, and Dwarves! This book is amazing and highly recommend it :D It could be as a stand alone book or you can read its companion books ELDEST and BRISINGER.

~M.A.CHASE♥

Iron Daughter

Ok, the reason I haven't posted all week was because I was with my family in Mexico. But, I'm back now and ready to write the review :D

Title: Iron Daughter
Author: Julie Kagawa
Rating: 5/5
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Summary: Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron Fey, iron-bound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's alone in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.
Review:
Thankfully this book is now added to my growing list of books I enjoyed. Yay! Ok, now to the real review.

The thrilling excitement that came from Iron King is increased during it's companion the Iron Daughter. Julie Kagawa's words make the story flow to a beautiful ending (which I am not spoiling :D).

Different sides of Ash and Puck are shown in this book. Ash's nicer side and his colder side. Puck's charms and his seriousness. These two sides of these characters make the story come alive more. You don't know if they're acting or if everything is real.

I don't want to reveal too much of this book before August 1st, but just saying, get ready to be pissed/annoyed/having the feeling to punch (at) Grimalkin. Just saying.

Now I am eagerly waiting her third book IRON QUEEN. May it be as great as these :)

~M.A.CHASE♥

The Red Pyramid

Title: The Red Pyramid
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Author: Rick Riordan (Author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series)
Rating: 5/5
Summary on inside cover of book: Since his mother's death six years ago, Carter Kane has been living out of a suitcase, traveling the globe with his father, the brilliant Egyptologist Dr. Julius Kane. But while Carter's been homeschooled, his younger sister, Sadie, has been living with their grandparents in London. Sadie has just what Carter wants - school friends and a chance at a "normal" life. But Carter has jut what Sadie longs for - time with their father. After six years of living apart, the siblings have almost nothing in common. Until now.

On Christmas Eve, Sadie and Carter are reunited when their father brings them to the British Museum, with a promise that he's going to "make things right." Byt all does not go according to plan: Carter and Sadie watch as Juluis summons a mysterious figure, who quickly banishes their father and causes a fiery explosion.

Soon Carter and Sadie discover that the gods of Ancient Eygpt are walking, and the worst of them -Set- has a frightening scheme. To save their father, they must embark on a dangerous journey - a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family and its links to the House of Life, a secret order that has exsisted since the time of the pharaos.

Review:

If I had to explain this book in one word, it would be: amazing. The adventure of Carter and Sadie Kane is intense and leaves you wanting more of the Kane Chronicles. Rick Riordan tells Ancient Eygptian mythology in a brand new way.

I love the way this book was written. It's Carter and Sadie's P.O.V alternating back and forth every two chapters. The story is written as if it was published off a recording. It has comedy and suspense that leaves you tearning the pages wanting to find out what happens. I couldn't put this book down. I sat reading this hoping that it wouldn't end, and when it did, I sat there dazed and hoping that Rick Riordan would release his next book soon.

This story had a great plot and climax and the pace was set just right, not too fast, not too slow.

I highly recommend picking this book up though I would read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series first because during the first chapters, when they question why they're in Brooklyn, one of the characters hints that there are "other gods" that lived in Manhattan.

Thank you

~M.A.CHASE♥

Spells

My late post, but here it is in it's new format.

Title: Spells
Publisher: Haperteen
Author: Aprilynn Pike
Rating: 5/5
Summary on back (or in this case inside cover) of the book: Although Laurel has come to accept her true identity as a faerie, she refuses to turn her back on her human life - and especially her boyfriend, David - to return to the faerie world.

But, when she is summond to Avalon, Laurel's feelings for the charismatic faerie sentry Tamini are undeniable. She is forced to make a choice - a choice that may break her heart.

Review:

In this compelling tale that is a companion to WINGS - that I will re-read and review - Aprilynn Pike shows Laurel's two worlds, the human side and the faerie side.

She returns to Avalon after so many years and stays to study for a few weeks. She studies 24/7 in order to get everything just right. She learns many different things like, potions and different uses for different plants, in order to protect herself against the trolls - most specifically, Barnes.

She later meets Klea whom she doesn't trust though she has saved Laurel's life...twice. But, who would trust someone who randomly shows up and is a monster slayer?

Laurel's journey of love and action is continued perfectly with this book. I highly suggest you pick this one up if you've read WINGS.

RANT WITH SPOILERS

David and Tamini. What can I say about them...? I love Tamini. I don't know who David thinks he is getting all buff and...stuff. Tamini should've been with Laurel the whole time not David. Tamini has been Laurel's sentry for years and yet, David, whose only know her for, a year? thinks he can waltz in and just take her.

Tamini is sweet and caring. David annoys me, because he doesn't trust Laurel being alone with Tamini. What does David think Tamini's going to do? Erase her memory about him and have her stay in the faerie world? Tamini would never do that. He hated doing that even when her memory was already wiped.

Nothing happened between Tamini and Laurel when they were alone during the festival..well, except for the kiss =D. David should know, Tamini is a faerie on of her kind. But, no.. He has to make her life difficult and maker her choose.

RANT WITH SPOILERS OVER

I don't want to ruin the ending so I won't tell you who she chooses... She chooses Bob, yup Bob, because she hated David and just left him to be with Bob. Hehe, that really didn't happen, but a girl can have a laugh right?

~M.A.CHASE ♥

Wicked Lovely

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

This story is about a girl named Aislinn that has the Sight which means she can see the invisible faeries that walk her city's streets. She has lived by three rules:

Rule #3 Don't stare at invisible faeries

Rule #2 Don't speak to invisible faeries

Rule #1 Don't ever attract their attention

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

This book is absolutely AMAZING and a real page turner. I couldn't put the book down and if I did I was forced to. I will say there are two teams that are going on here; Team Keenan and Team Seth.

Ever since I started the book I will definately hopefully always be Team Seth. (SPOILER) He's completely amazing in everyway when Keenan reminds me of a stalker. He follows Aislinn to school for crying out loud! He is way too persistant. Sure, he's the Summer King with bound powers and has to find the Summer Queen in order to regain all of them. Still, that doesn't give him any right to be a stalker...(SPOILER OVER)

Sorry.. Anyway, the captivating descriptions and inner conflict of Aislinn, Keenan and Donia make the story the way it is. I give props to Melissa Marr :DD


~M.A.CHASE

Iron King

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

This story is about a girl living a normal life...well almost normal... when her brother suddenly hurts her mother she doesn't know what to do. She later finds out from her best friend Robbie Goodfell that Ethan has been kidnapped by faeries and that its a changeling.

She later finds out she knows less about Robbie that she thought. Robbie is acutally Robin Goodfellow (Puck) from A Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespear and is a faery that will survive immortally as long as people rememeber him.

Her adventures begin when she steps through the trod to the Nevernever. After a few days there she meets the Prince of the Unseelie Court Ash and she finds out the biggest secret that was never meant to be told. This story has romance, and action and a whole lot of Ash (:

Has the adventure and fantasy elements that any person that loves make-believe to read and all the love and triangles that any love story reader would love. It's basically a one for all book unless you don't like either of these. This book leaves you hanging at the end and having you wanting more.

May I say that I think that the cover of this book is AMAZING. IRON DAUGHTER is even better :DD I'm so excited.

IRON DAUGHTER will be released on August 1st, 2010.

If you read or have read this book make sure to leave a comment if you are Team Puck or Team Ash.

I would love to hear your feedback(:

~M.A.CHASE

Shiver

Shiver by Maggie Steifvater

The paranormal romance of her characters Grace and Sam. This story takes twistes and turns and dips that makes you keep turning the pages. I couldn't put this book down! This book is definately a better paranormal book then the Twilight Saga (no offense to Stephenie Meyer but it's true). Be sure to pick this book up in any bookstore in the YA section.

The companion book LINGER is going to be released on July 20th.

Be there or be square!! (:

~M.A. CHASE

Sister's Red

OK, so I know this blog is going to be for reviewing but I do have something to say about a book, does that count?

Anyway, on June 7th, 2010 Sister's Red by Jackson Pearce is going to come out into bookstores. This book is a re-telling of Little Red Riding Hood. It's a new twist on the classic story that everyone has come to know and love.

The two companion books are (2) SWEETLY and (3) FATHOMLESS

Be sure to check them out as soon as they're on the bookshelves.

~M.A. CHASE

Huh, I guess this was kind of like a review (: