Review: Destined to Love by Jourdyn Kelly

Destined to Love 
by Jourdyn Kelly
Publication Date: May 2nd, 2014
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Pages: 316
Purchase your copy today: 
Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis: Anala Geil has finally fulfilled her destiny to become the Leader of the Society of Hunters – 600 years AFTER she thought all Cursed Ones were gone. So far; she is a Cursed Hunter, has fallen in love with a fellow Hunter, had another Hunter turned, and lost Thomas - the one she had feelings for so long ago. She’s doing great. 

The challenges that Ana and her Hunters must face now will either tear them apart, or bring them closer. But what will Ana do when she is forced to make the most difficult decisions of her long life? 

Will she be able to hold on to the humanity she feels is perilously close to shattering?

My Thoughts: Another incredible ending by Jourdyn Kelly!! I just love this series, the author does such a great job keeping you constantly entertained and on your toes. This book becomes an emotional roller coaster with its ups and downs; including death of loved ones and lots of close calls. Sam and Anala are amazing together, I can't get enough of their smokey chemistry. Sam is always there for Anala and the struggles she continues to have to go through but also knows when to give her the space she needs. The little group of hunters is joined by a new character, Sara, who has a hard time adjusting as the outsider. 

At the end of Destined to Kill I wasn't sure how Zach would handle the knew change of being cursed. Throughout the book he constantly struggles with his humanity while Anala does what she can to help. Still on the hunt for Thomas, the cursed from Anala's past who turned Zach and many others, the gang runs into constant trouble. 

I cannot wait to see what happens next for Anala and the gang after traveling all the way to England. The group discovered similar killings all over the world that lead them to believe there must be more cursed, vampires, and if there are cursed there are hunters. For the first time in 600 years Anala returns to her home land in search of answers and discovers much more than she expected. Thank goodness I don't need to wait to see what happens next!! Destined to Meet released this October and is currently on my kindle waiting to be read. Such an entertaining fantasy read!

Review: Destined to Kill by Jourdyn Kelly

Destined to Kill
by Jourdyn Kelly
Publication Date: May 21st, 2013
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Pages: 376
Purchase your copy today:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis: Immortality. Humans would sell their soul for it. Immortals would steal souls to keep it. Infinite life is too seductive and powerful to resist. But, immortality is more like a bad drug habit than a gift. Immortals can't give it up because after living for so long, they don't know how to face death. You see, living forever isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sure, you have your pros, but it's the cons that can make an Immortal wish for a death that will never come.

Anala Geil is a Hunter. She is bound by the rules of the Society. The rules are few, but they are strong. What happens when circumstances force her to break them all?

My Thoughts: Such a great plot, it grabbed me from the very beginning!!  Anala grows up in a society who hunt "cursed", or vampires, and after an unexpected accident she is left changed forever. After 600 years without vampires, except for Anala, a new group begins to form out of nowhere leaving Anala no other option than to bring together a group of hunters to train. I loved the main character, Anala, a vampire struggling with her humanity who hunts other vampires. She has such a strong personality and doesn't take crap from anyone! I actually ended up having a dream last night about the book, which never happens, where I was Anala out hunting, that's how much this book stuck with me! (or maybe I was just really tired after reading?) 

I love reading a book about vampires where the author gives you a new explanation for how vampires came into existence. For me it always gives the story that little extra, whenever there is a history to the plot, I just eat it up! I could not stop reading, each character the author created has such a unique and, for the most part, like-able personality! Almost making you want to be apart of the group of hunters. Jourdyn Kelly, the author, leaves you hanging at the end with a cliff hanger leaving you wanting more!! Luckily Destined to Love the second book in the series is already out and ready for me to read!! 

Review: Death's Dilemma by Candice Burnett

Death's Dilemma (Book 2 Death has a Daughter Series)
by Candice Burnett
Publication: August 31st, 2014
Pages: 195
Purchase your copy:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis: Cendall, history’s first female Grim Reaper, has had one hell of a year. She has gone from the top of her class to the realm’s biggest traitor. Working with the enemy, Cendall finds herself enrolled in a human high school, protecting a soul she was originally supposed to collect. 

With her powers building and feelings for a particular enemy growing stronger, Cendall must learn to control herself and navigate her emotions as the threats against her and her assignment escalate. As she begins to come to terms with the fact that a master Demon is hot on their trail, an old friend brings to light that a bounty has been placed on her head, and she is the most wanted individual in the realm. 

Faced with the impossible task of defending herself and the soul she has grown to care for, Cendall must make a choice she never wanted to make and confront death’s greatest dilemma. 

My Thoughts: Ahhh! I just love this series and all the characters, Candice Burnett did an amazing job following up Death has a Daughter (DHAD)!!!  This series has such a unique plot for a fantasy series with a strong female lead, its hard not to get excited while reading.  The ending to this book was non stop entertainment with one surprise twist after the next that I honestly never saw coming!! 

Deaths Dilemma begins soon after DHAD,  book one, ends with the interesting discovery of Cendall's suppressed powers. Cendall is now working with the guardian angels as Lacie's main bodyguard alongside the dreamy and distracting Trevor.  With Cendall never leaving Lacie's side the girls become as close as ever, a best girlfriend Cendall never thought she would have. After sharing a passionate kiss and saving Trevor's life in DHAD, Cendall has a hard time keeping a clear head. Between keeping Lacie safe, keeping a clear head with Trevor and looking for answers to her newly discovered powers Cendall has a lot on her plate and things are about to pile up even higher. 

This series just keeps you on your toes with surprise endings to each book you would never expect. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series, hopefully we don't have too long to wait, too see what Candice Burnett has in store for us next. Candice Burnett has me completely captivated with this plot and in love with every character I definitely recommend this series to anyone who loves a good fantasy book!

The Warrior (The Arcadian Series Book 3)

The Warrior (The Arcadian Series Book 3)
by T. L. Coulter
Published September 1st, 2014
342 Pages
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

You can purchase a hard copy or digital copy at
Amazon

Official Synopsis: At the end of The Oracle, the traitor Malik has escaped from Castle Lindgren only to take Rek with him. While being held prisoner in the demon realm, Rek discovers a secret that will change his life forever. Everything Rek has ever been told has been a lie. Now, he is faced with a decision. Fight on the side of evil or die. 

Meanwhile, back in Arcadia, Kailee is mad as hell and is putting all her energy into her training.  While Kailee is working on her magic, Audric is calling for his fellow wizards and allies to prepare for battle. 

War is coming to the Wizards of Arcadia. Will Kailee’s love be enough for Rek to fight for good, or will a powerful blood bond push him to fight for evil?

My Thoughts: Sigh....its always hard to finish a series you have grown to love, but TL Coulter ties everything up wonderfully!! With all the surprises at that end of The Oracle I wasn't sure what was going to happen next for our friends in Arcadia!! Malik is out to ruin everyone's life because of the terrible choices his brother made when they were younger, shaping him into the the evil person his is today. I was glad this book takes a deeper look into the past in order for us to get a better look into why Malik is the way he is, I almost feel bad for the hand he was dealt. This book keeps you on your toes waiting for the realms to go to war. There were a couple parts that were pretty heartbreaking during the final battle between good and evil, causing me some emotional ups and downs. Thankfully there are a few surprise twists that brought my emotions back in check.  The Warrior is a heartfelt ending to a great series!! With lots of love to go around in this series, I was so thrilled that my two favorite couples happily ended up together (I can't tell you who or it would be a spoiler for the surprise twists I'm talking about). A big thanks to TL Coulter for bringing me into Arcadia, I loved every second. I am excited to see what you come up with next in The Assassin Series!

***Giveaway going on now signed copy of The Key the first book in The Arcadian Series***
http://yafantasybookreview.blogspot.com/p/giveaways.html

Captivate Me & Iris

S.J. Pierce Blog

Captivate Me: 
Written by S.J. Pierce. Publication date: April 1st 2014. 281 Pages. Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult. Purchase your copy today Amazon / B&N 

Captivate Me Synopsis: "My mom had always told me - when you meet "the one", you'll know; they'll captivate your heart the moment you lay eyes on them. I had always wondered, though, if my mom's words of wisdom were finite - if they applied to everyone. Maybe those who had found their one great love were the lucky few, and maybe the rest of us would have to settle for less than earth-shattering."

Seventeen-year-old Kat Walsh is a Gifted - a human with paranormal abilities. With her mom a former Angel and her dad a dream prophet, it's always been in her genetic make-up to be extraordinary. Unfortunately for her, the world can't handle the strange or unusual. So when she slips up and uses her powers at her high school in Ireland, the entire student body treats her like a freak - even the ones she thought were her closest friends.

Broken, but hopeful for a fresh start, she allows her parents to enroll her in a boarding school buried deep within the forests of a small Colorado town. At Midland Pines, School for the Gifted, she feels as though she can finally be herself; she makes new friends and even has the attention of the most popular guy in school - Levi. Everything feels normal again... or does it?

Not long after her arrival, weird dreams of an alluring boy whom she's never met surface during the night, and the eerie, shadowy trees encircling their school seem to call to her. As these disturbing, yet enticing developments intensify, other bizarre occurrences happen - students and staff turn up missing, and mystery visitors leave gifts while she sleeps. With all of these other things vying for her attention, a desperate Levi has to fight even harder to keep her interest. But with the dreams of the attractive boy slowly captivating her heart, Kat has to make a choice - will she settle for 'great' Levi, or will she search for her elusive dream visitor, possibly stumbling across 'amazing?'

From the author of the Alyx Rayer Chronicles, comes a refreshingly different Young Adult series with plenty of love, suspense, and a new take on the Paranormal.

My Thoughts: Draws you in from the very beginning!! I can't get enough I loved this book! Kat, the leading lady, is accepted to a school for the gifted and after being shunned at her old school this place is like a breath of fresh air for her. Finally able to be her true self Kat immediately make friends and is quick to steal the heart of a guy named Levi. Everything seems to be falling into place until she meets Gabriel. Torn between two great guys and discovering some pretty earth shattering news Kat has a lot to figure out. 

Great plot kept me entertained the whole time and I loved each and every character! I could not believe who turned out to be the villain! I was so entrap by the story I finished it in about 24 hours. The author did an amazing job with a unique fantasy twist and surprising ending, now time to start reading Iris. 

Iris(The Captivated Series 1.5):
Written by S.J. Pierce. Publication date: September 1st, 2014. Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult. Purchase your copy today Amazon 

Iris Synopsis: Set before the events in Book One of the Captivated Series, "Iris" explores the depths of family bonds, new bonds, and the lengths a person would go to save the life of a dying sibling. In this novella, get to know Iris and her two sisters more intimately, as well as Gabriel, the first angel-human hybrid who agrees to live under her protection.

My Thoughts: I have always loved Novellas and how they give you a more in depth story into it's characters. Very interesting read but pretty slow plot after reading Captivate Me. I loved getting to know more about Iris and her sisters and discovering what makes her who she is. Still, it's hard for me to feel bad for her and her sisters and I'm glad Captivate Me ended the way it did. It should be interesting to see what Lilliana bring to the table in the next book after the way Captivate Me ended. I honestly can't wait for the second book in the series Fight for Me to release spring of 2015. 

AUTHOR BIO: 

Susan James Pierce has a degree in Marketing Management, works for a Fortune 500 company in Atlanta, Georgia, and devotes her precious, spare  time to writing Fantasy, Paranormal and Sci-fi novels.

Author Links:
http://sjpiercebooks.blogspot.ca/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6562942.S_J_Pierce

https://www.facebook.com/SJPiercebooks

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Death has a Daughter

Book Website

Book Details: Written by Candice Burnett. Published March 31st, 2014. 186 Pages. You can purchase a hard copy or digital copy at Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Official Synopsis: Cendall, history’s first female Grim Reaper, has until her eighteenth birthday to prove she’s worthy of the role. The only obstacle in her way are those pesky Guardian Angels who protect human souls, but Cendall is certain she can handle any Guardian who gets in her way. 

However, nothing could have prepared Cendall for Lacie—a soul that is protected by multiple Guardians, wanted by Demons, and, most startling of all, can see Cendall. 
Cendall uses every trick in the book to try and slip past Lacie’s Guardians and collect her soul, but a Demon interferes at the last moment. In the chaos, Cendall accidently saves Lacie’s soul, along with one of the injured Guardians. Realizing Cendall fears termination for her mistake, the Guardian blackmails her with an offer she can’t refuse: in exchange for his silence, Cendall must keep Lacie’s soul safe from the Demon, until he recovers from his injuries. Cendall agrees—with the intention of checking Lacie’s soul off her list, the instant the Guardian is healed. But as the three of them are forced to work together, Cendall begins to question why Lacie is wanted by the Demons and if her name actually belonged on Cendall’s list in the first place.

My Thoughts: Great story line with a kick ass leading lady!! I loved this story and I am so glad the second book, Death's Dilemma, comes out this month!  Such a unique idea for a fantasy book. Cendall is the first and only female reaper with a lot to prove. On her first assignment after graduation she runs into some surprising souls and even befriends one, which is completely against the rules. The more names she checks off her list of souls the more she starts to question the people making these lists. The chemistry between Cendall and Trevor, the hot off limits guardian, is pretty steamy and I cannot wait to see what happens next for them.  With a heart pumping ending and some surprising discoveries for Cendall, things are bound to get even more interesting after her reassignment. Love all the characters and their connections with each other! Counting down the days until the next one!

Silver Shadows: A Bloodlines Novel Book 5

Richelle Mead Website

Book Details: Written by Richelle Mead a US Today and NY Times Best Fantasy Author. Publication July 29th, 2014. 380 pages. You can purchase a hard copy or digital copy at Amazon.

Official Synopsis: In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive. 

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

My Thoughts:  Wow just wow!! What an ending in more ways than one!! I need more, I could not set this book down and finished it in less than two days!! All I can think about is what is going to happen next and now we have to wait until next February (tear) for the next book The Ruby Circle. Richelle Mead did an AMAZING job getting my heart pumping, there was nonstop action with the gang trying to break Sydney out of re-education after suffering in there for months!! Yes months, four to be exact! I was stunned when I finally found out how long she had been missing!!! Poor Sydney, but thankfully our girl is a fighter and stays as strong as possible throughout the ordeal while making a couple friends along the way.

Once the plot got intense it stayed intense until the very last second leaving me reeling in what I just read. I felt like my heart would burst with joy for Sydney and Adrian. I don't want to give too much away, but again, just wow the details of there getaway were so vivid I felt like I was Jill watching the romantic and stressful escapade of Adrian and Sydney. I could not be happier for them but things won't be settling down for them quite yet! I have a good feeling Dimitri and Rose will be making a big appearance in the next book. I cannot wait!!!

The Indigo Spell: A Bloodlines Novel Book 3

Richelle Mead Website

Book Details: Written by Richelle Mead a US Today and NY Times Best Fantasy Author. Publication February 12th, 2013. 401 pages. You can purchase a hard copy or digital copy at Amazon.

Official Synopsis: Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets--and human lives."

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next

My Thoughts: I love Sydney and Adrian! This book just flies by, even for the third time. There are vampires and witches and even a cute little dragon shows up. I just love reading about everything Sydney has to overcome in her life, and there is a lot, all while fighting her feelings for Adrian. Adrian continues make passing comments about how amazing she is and how much he loves her. These characters have really grown on me, first with The Vampire Academy series and now with this spin off Bloodlines series. I could read this series over and over and not get board, so much happens throughout this book especially for Adrian and Sydney. Every stolen moment they have when Sydney lets her guard down gets my heart pumping! I just love everything about this book!!

City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments Book 6)

Cassandra Clare Website

Book Details: Written by New York Times Best Selling Author Cassandra Clare. Published May 27th, 2014. 725 Pages. You can purchase a hard copy or digital copy at Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis of City of Heavenly Fire: In the sixth and final book in the series Sebastian is at it again. Attacking several institutes around the globe and using the Infernal Cup to turn as many shadowhunters as possible into his loyal army of endarkened. Clary along with the majority of the shadowhunters around the world retreat to Idris to come up with a plan of attack against Sebastian.  Simon is left behind with Jordan and Maia protecting him, now that he no longer has the Mark of Cain. Magnus and Alec are currently on the outs and both struggling with the situation. Chaos surrounds them all. 

An attack on Simon's life leads to his capture by the local vampire clan. Which then leads to Jordan and Maia reaching out for help from his brothers. Most of the institutes have been evacuate with the exception of a few and Sebastian and his followers attempt an attack on the Britain institute to no avail, his first failed attack. Officially pissing Sebastian off he turns his anger towards the Praetor Lupus killing everything in his wake. 

Maia returns to her pack with a message from Sebastian for all downworlders, he will not spare those considering to aid the shadowhunters against him. Simon escapes captivity with the help of his maker Raphael and together they travel to Idris to stand as representatives for the vampires.  Magnus arrives as well to be the warlock representative. During a dinner of the downworlder representatives something goes horribly wrong, Sebastian has them drugged and taken as prisoners. Sebastian informs the Clave, the shadowhunter government, that in exchange for Jace and Clary he will return his downworlder prisoners. 

Jace, Clary, Alec, Isabelle and Simon take maters into their own hands in order to save their friends and family taken. They must travel to Edom a realm of hell inhabited by demons to save their loved ones. Things get hot and heavy in more ways than one for not only Clary and Jace but Simon and Isabelle. The story gives you ups and downs and twists and turns for this finale, leaving you laughing crying and for a few pages there shocked. 

My Thoughts: I can't even put into words how much I loved this book!! The author does an amazing job tying everything up to make it the perfect ending!! I love her writing I cannot get enough, you can feel the connection between all the characters just radiating off the pages as you read. The author just goes so deep into bringing all the books from this series together and the Infernal Instruments Series, that I cannot wait to see what happens in the next series The Dark Artifices book one Lady Midnight coming Fall 2015.  So much happens in this book it's hard to even go into the details but let me just say there was a moment when I almost lost it, you'll know what I mean when you read it. Thankfully things work themselves out by the end and I loved every second of it!!

The Oracle (The Arcadian Series Book 2)

T. L. Coulter Blog

Book Details: Written by T. L. Coulter. Published June 2nd, 2014. 310 Pages. You can purchase a hard copy or digital copy at Amazon.

Synopsis of The Oracle:  At the end of The Key Kailee and Audric are presumed dead until the last moment when Kailee sends a message to Rek in his sleep.  Malik, Audric and Rek's uncle, has taken them captive as part of his evil plan. Rek is determined to find Kailee and his brother before it is too late. With the help of a sorcerer he scours the realms for any sign of them, but to no avail. 

Kailee and Audric wake up in their separate cells after being heavily drugged. Knowing that they have each other in this crazy situation is enough for them both to stay hopeful. They quickly realize that these cells work as a cloaking device on their powers making them unusable. Working together they decide that Audric must be the one to send a message to his brother for help during their few minutes a day outside because they more closely watch Kailee's powers.

After a shocking revelation from Kailee's aunt and uncle Rek doesn't know whether to destroy something or be happy. Trying not to focus on this new discovery he falls asleep and is visited by his mother in his dreams, who tells him he must look for the oracle in order to find Kailee and Audric. He quickly makes plans to visit the realm of the vampires and werewolves, the most likely place for the oracle to be hiding.  With the help of Astrid and Gabe and a few new characters, the head vampire Ryan and soon-to-be head werewolf Tasha, they quickly find the oracle, Cass, and explain the importance of her help. While visiting this realm Rek receives a message from his brother informing him they are being held in the demon realm. 

They all return to the realm of Arcadia and plan their descent into the demon realm to save Audric and Kailee. The oracle has pin pointed their exact location and the rescue mission but is being left behind for her own safety. Rek is the first to find Audric and Kailee,luckily still alive, and goes to capture his uncle Malik next. The rescue mission turned out a little too easy.  Little do they know but Malik has plenty of tricks still up his sleeve with lots of surprises yet to be revealed, leaving you hanging at the edge of your seat. 

My Thoughts:  Another crazy ending leaving you with one surprise after the next. So much happens in this book and all the different love connections are addicting! I cannot wait to find out what happens next!! The author knows how to keep you wanting more with these endings!! Very entertaining and I could not set the book down until I was finished. I loved the new characters introduced, they all have such great chemistry together it's easy to feel like you could be a part of their group. You get to travel to a new realm and get a close look at the vampires and werewolves. Astrid and Gabe are still my favorite characters and I hope everything works out for them after all the twists in this book. Looking forward to the next book in The Arcadian Series!

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments Book 5)

Cassandra Clare Website

Book Details: Written by New York Times Best Selling Author Cassandra Clare. Published May 8th, 2012. 535 Pages. You can purchase a hard copy or digital copy at

Synopsis of City of Lost Souls: With Jace and Sebastian's body going missing at the very end of the last book, City of Fallen Angels, Clary is devastated. The Clave, the shadowhunter government entity, are more concerned about what Sebastian is capable of than Jace's safety. Clary takes maters into her own hands with the help of Alec, Isabelle and Simon and go to the faerie queen for help. She promises to help them with one favor in return, Clary must steal faerie enchanted rings and return them to her. 

Clary is so desperate she sneaks into the New York Institutes library while the clave is in an official meeting to remove the rings from their glass case. While there, the two people she least expected to see show up, Sebastian and Jace. They leave just as quickly as they came but it was enough for Clary to see them acting like best friends. Clary is furious and tells Isabelle and Alec what she saw, shocking them both. 

Soon after Jace and Sebastian show up at Clary's house to take her with them nearly killing Luke in the process. This leads to Jocelyn taking Clary into hiding at Magnus's place. Clary doesn't know what to do and sneaks out of Magnus's to meet Simon in the middle of the night. She confides in him that she is going to leave with Jace when he shows up next and gives Simon one of the faerie rings. The rings allow them to communicate through their thoughts no mater where they are. Simon is not happy but no one can stop Clary once her mind is set. Shortly after she returns home Jace shows up to take her with them. 

Clary quickly realizes that the bond that Lilith created between Jace and Sebastian is stronger than ever and Sebastian is in charge. Anything he wants Jace wants also. This is the most time Clary has ever spent with her brother and it brings up some confusing emotions. Clary stays in communication with Simon when she can while trying to convince Sebastian he can trust her everything seems to be going fairly well until Clary realizes his true intentions. 

While Clary is gone Simon, Isabelle, Alec and Magnus brainstorm ways to break the bond that connects Sebastian and Jace's life force. First by summoning a demon, which doesn't turn out too well, to deciding to summon the angel Razeil. After some time Simon is finally able to reach Clary again to form a plan of attack  to stop Sebastian before it is too late. 

My Thoughts:  Simon our hero! He saved the day in this one with his Mark of Cain and bravery.  Honestly an amazing book but out of all of them my least favorite. Mainly because it was so hard to read about Jace being in that zombie like state and when there wasn't much Clary could do. It was so frustrating I just wanted them to break the connection as soon as possible and get Jace back. Sebastian is just a slimy guy it's hard to believe he is Clary's brother. I did love that Simon, my fav, and Isabelle get closer than ever!  Not only was it a bumpy road for Jace and Clary but also Alec and Magnus it was irritating watching everyone's relationships kinda fall apart in front of your eyes. On top of that you have Luke struggling for his life part of the time making me stressed and  a little nervous.  Even with all the negative going on I still could not put this book down. It was a love hate relationship for this one. 

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments Book 4)

Cassandra Clare Website

Book Details: Written by New York Times Best Selling Author Cassandra Clare. Published April 5th, 2011. 424 Pages. You can purchase a hard copy or digital copy at Amazon/ Barnes & Noble

Synopsis of City of Fallen Angels: Clary and Jace have finally discovered at the end of City of Glass that they are not brother and sister, and in fact Jace is a Herondale. Clary's real brother is the shadowhunter impersonating Sebastian who tries to kill Jace and pretty much anyone who gets in his way. Now with Valentine and Sebastian out of the way things can go back to normal, or so you think. 

Clary has started training to become a shadowhunter focusing most on the physical aspect while waiting for an instructor to help with her specialty of runes. Jace and Clary start off great but hit a rocky point where Jace, for some reason, continues to have nightmares about killing Clary. This causes him to put some distance in their relationship and also starts following Simon around. If he can't be around Clary then he wants to be around the closest person to her, Simon. 

With Simon's new Mark of Cain he becomes untouchable causing some undesirable enemies. The vampires despise him, he can never be one of the shadowhunters and his family isn't speaking to him, he is alone in that sense. Simon is struggling being a vampire and drinking blood regularly to stay fed. He is not, however, struggling in his love life dating Isabelle and Maia at the same time. Jace isn't sleeping or eating much of anything either. Jace along with Simon's new roommate Jordan are working together to protect him from the mysterious men that keep trying to kill him. 

With Luke and Jocelyn's engagement party and wedding coming up Clary is trying to focus her attention on her happiness for them and not on her worries concerning Jace. Finally they confront the issue at hand instead of ignoring there problems and decide to ask the Silent Brothers for help with Jace's nightmares. The Silent Brothers inform them that since Jace died and came back to life there was never a new ritual done to protect his soul against demon influences. Jace stays with them in the Silent City so that may preform the ritual while Clary goes to get ready for her mothers engagement party. From there things begin to get a little out of control involving Jace, Clary, Simon, a Greater Demon and someone we thought was gone forever. 

My Thoughts: Love all the twists and turns that this author throws at you!! This story just gets better and better!! With Valentine now gone there had to be a new villain to match his crazy!! Not to give to much away but I was not expecting Lilith the first time I read the book.  Poor Jace is having issues after dying for a moment in the last book, understandably.  This causes him to pull away from Clary and become closer to Simon, never would have thought that would happen with the way they treat each other. Simon is having to defend himself from continuous attacks on his life, luckily the Mark of Cain keeps him from any real harm. Simon also starts dating a couple people which makes things very interesting. Some great new characters added including Jordan who slowly is becoming one of my favorites, and Camille from the Infernal Devices Series makes an appearance. Finally Luke and Jocelyn are planning their wedding!! They are just the sweetest thing and it makes me so happy for Luke. The ending was insane and I would have gone crazy if the next book was not out to find out what happened next.  Love these books, Can't put them down!!!

City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments Book Three)

Cassandra Clare Website

Book Details: Written by New York Times Best Selling Author Cassandra Clare. Published March 29th, 2009. 541 Pages. You can purchase a hard copy or digital copy at  Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis of City of Glass: After discovering that there is a way to wake up Clary's mom, Jocelyn, at the end of City of Ashes everyone travels to Idris, the homeland of the shadowhunters. An attack while going through the portal leads to Simon tagging along and Clary and Luke traveling separately through a portal Clary creates. Since downworlders are not allowed in Idris without a formal invitation, both Simon and Luke are in a dangerous position. Alec leads Simon to the Gard, a government building, to meet up with the new Inquisitor in order to use the portal to get back home to New York. Alec says goodbye to Simon trusting that the new Inquisitor to get Simon home safely, but it turns out that is not really what the Inquisitor had in mind.

Upon arriving Luke takes Clary to his sister Amatis's house to stay until they can figure out if it is safe for Clary to be there after creating a portal to Idris without permission. Clary can't sit around and wait so she decides to sneak out the window and go looking for Jace, Isabelle and Alec. When Clary finds where they are staying no one seems happy to see her especially Jace. Clary officially distraught runs out of the house only to have Sebastian, a cousin of the family the Lightwoods are staying with, run out behind her and offer to walk her home.  Clary confides in Sebastian her reason for being in Idris; to find a cure for her mother by finding the warlock Ragnor Fell. Clary is surprised to find Sebastian at her door the next day telling her he knows where to find the warlock and that he can take her there. They show up at Ragnor's house to find a surprising individual pretending to be the warlock who gives Clary the information needed to find the cure. Sebastian kisses Clary before they make it back home and she gets a very wrong feeling from him at that point making things a bit awkward. 

Jace agrees to go with Clary to find the cure at the Wayland Manor where Jace lived the first ten years of his life.  Not only do they find what they are looking for but they discover a heavenly prisoner in a hidden stairwell whom Valentine trapped there long ago.  This prisoner shows both Jace and Clary different clips of the evil and crazy experiments Valentine conducted over time. Both are shocked and not sure what to do with the information given to them and have a quiet walk back to the city. In the time that they are gone the wards protecting the city from any demon activity are deactivated allowing for an invasion of demons. 

This is all a part of Valentines plan to take over control of the Clave or kill them all in the process using the power he holds over the demons with the Mortal Cup and Sword.  After fighting off the first wave of demons Valentine delivers a message that unless the shadowhunters bow to him he will send even more demons effectively killing everything in their wake. The downworlders have offered there help against Valentine, but in return they want four seats within the Clave, one for each paranormal group, something that has never been done before. This leaves the shadowhunters in a very precarious position with some hard decisions to make.  With and ending that will rock their world.

My Thoughts: Loved the ending! So much happens in this book, one obstacle after the next ending with an epic battle!  First view into Idris, introduction of new characters like Luke's sister and goodbyes to other important characters. I could not put this one down!! The book gives you so much to be excited for while also crushing your heart. I just love the dynamic of all the characters together and how much their lives are intertwined. 

I love having Simon as a daylight walking vampire he is one of my favorite characters and continues to be throughout the series. Some very important discoveries are made about the Morgenstern family tree and a deeper look into how crazy Valentine had become. Overall amazing!!! Let me just say I'm happy for Jace and Clary it's about time something went their way.