October reading list: School V.S Life

There is a battle being fought for literary supremacy on the bedtime reading front every evening on my bedside table. Academic Kim knows that she has a bunch of books that she should be reading in order to stay ahead in her AS English literature but other Kim needs to read supernatural and dystopian fiction in order to stay happy.

Here's the lowdown for the next month...

New Selected Poems- Carol Ann Duffey

Selected Poems- Sheenagh Pugh

The Great Gatsby- F. Scott. FitzGerald

I am studying all three of these books for A-level English Literature which I am loving right now! I read Gatsby about a year ago now, remember when the film was meant to come out? THEN DIDN'T UNTIL JUNE!!!!! Well it was then that I read it so its die for a re-reading. The poems are good too but I have to say I'm a novels kind of girl through and through.

Tender is the night-  F. Scott. FitzGerald

The Beautiful and Damned-  F. Scott. FitzGerald

As two books that are also set in the 1920s and by the same author I think they would be good to read.

Allegiant (divergent book 3)- Veronica Roth 

Ermergerd you guys! I'm freaking out over this like actually freaking the hell out I'm so excited! Especially with that Insurgent Cliffhanger! If you liked the Hunger Games and haven't read this- although I'm sure that's unlikely- READ IT ! Obviously I don't own it though... 22 days...

Vampire academy- Richelle Mead 

The whole series as a whole! I have heard high praise from friends so I have expectations to be lived up to! Its also been a while since I've read a purely vampire series.

I am number four- Pattacus Lore 

I haven't finished this since my Holliday over a month ago (thanks mortal instruments series!) but I was really enjoying it. I was also at the library the other day and saw another Patticus Lore book about number eight? Is it a series? Can anybody shed some light on this? 

What will you be reading to pass the cold autumn nights?

Kim x

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The Fault in our Stars

Okay so I don't think I've mentioned on here about my Nerdfighter status probably because I read all of John Greens books before starting this blog I think I must have read it in February/March time maybe before that. Anyway I think it was before it was announced that it would be made into a movie but if not it hadn't been cast. Now the making of the film is fully underway though I am so excited! 

Every time a vlog from the set pops up in my subscription feed or an Instagram picture pops up from Ansel Elgort swoons I might be a little obsessed or John or Shaileene Woodley who I also love she seems so fun and quirky I have a mini heart attack in the sixth form centre at lunch! Excited doesn't begin to cover it! 

The reason for my sudden burst of tfios movie excitement? The last of my bestie Amigas finally got round to reading it and she loves it too of course! This means we've all read it and can swoon over the adorableness that is Ansel together, but hands off ladies- he's mine...

Which book to movie releases are you looking forward to coming out soon? The other Shailene and Ansel realise Divergent which I loved and reviewed a while ago comes out in march 2014 (and Allegiant next month guys!) and of course there's Catching Fire in November!! Excitement doesn't come close guys! 

City of Fallen Angels Review

City of Fallen Angels so we're on the same page is book 4 in the Mortal Instruments series that I've been reading and reviewing for a while now but alas we have reached the penultimate book in the series (potentially so far I've heard). If you haven't read the other series reviews you can find them here:
City of Bones on my other blog, full link a the end! 
City of Ashes
City of Glass

Any who now were up to speed lets get started!

In the fourth instalment everything is fine and dandy for everyone but considering how that makes pretty dull reading some creepy stuff starts happening across New York. Mysterious deaths of Shadow hunters keep happening and this threatens the new bond between the Shadow hunters and Downworlders. Also Jace is acting weird towards Clary, Simon isn't sure which way to turn and there is a fair few important revelations.  

Favourite Character: Simon (well what did you expect) Isabelle and Jordan/Kyle. I love how Jordan overcomes his past behaviour in the hope that he will one day be reunited with the girl he loves to make sure she's happy. He's one of those characters who in real life you would think of as being a bit creepy in the way that what he's doing comes under the stalking radar but in book world you can't help but love.

What I liked: In this book the story and it's characters really develop to make us really quite attached to them. Isabelle for example finally comes into her own. We find out why she is the way she is and see her more as a person in some really cute scenes (thing actually sitting on the sofa "awww"-ing at parts and your parents looking at you like you've lost it.) Magnus and Alec's relationship in this book is soooo perfect too! I love them together and they fight and they're so different but I love that! also liked the religious themes in the book I think it really helped to tie the gap between the fantasy novel and the whole this could actually happen realms.

What I didn't like: It was a tad predictable at the end I mean I liked the ending but it was obvious from the last book that something was going to happen (if you have read it you'll know what I'm talking about!) With that aside there is a part in this book which I think is the weirdest thing I have ever read. You have been warned.

Favourite Quotes:

1. As long as I can still dream, I will dream of you.

2.You're just worried they'll hire a male instructor and he'll be hotter than you."
Jace's eyebrows went up. "Hotter than me?"
"It could happen," Clary said, "You know, theoretically."
"Theoretically the planet could suddenly crack in half, leaving me on one side and you on the other, forever and tragically parted, but I'm not worried about that either. Some things," Jace said, with his customary crooked smile, "are just too unlikely to dwell upon.”  

3. “But I watch my brothers give their hearts away and I think, Don’t you know better? Hearts are breakable. And I think even when you heal, you’re never what you were before.”  

4. “I think she just asked if she could touch my mango.”

5. "Love is a contradiction,"

6. “Well, I guess I'll see you around. You're the first Shadowhunter I've ever met."
"That's too bad,"said Jace, "since all the ones you meet from now on will be a terrible letdown.”

what can I say this book is a quote goldmine!
 
Rating: I give this book 4 stars! Although I prefer City of Ashes I am excited to see what happens in the final book city of lost souls so keep your eyes pealed!

What do you think of how Jace comes across in this book compared to the previous instalments?

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City of Glass Review

 

I cannot describe how much better this book was compared to the previous two! The improvement between book two and book three (this one!) is immense. Literally everything is better the story line has a quicker pace the writing style is soooo much better and some characters really grow into themselves in this book...

So basically from the last book it's clear that Valentine is a serious threat to the shadow hunters and so they go to Alicante in Idris  (the city of glass) to talk with the clave but there are a few people who come along for the ride by accident and end up in trouble talking about you Simon. The story basically follows Clary coming to terms with her powers and her paternal family and of course the love she has for Jace. As I mentioned loads happens in this book especially to say that the book is only, what a centimetre thicker that the previous two? I like that though. I found this book a lot easier to read and there were parts of the story where I couldn't put it down it was so gripping! 

Favourite Character: Alec and Simon (I do love my Simon!) The characters really grow up in this book especially Alec and Isabelle who really came to accept the truth about who they are and what they want especially with Alec and his feelings for Magnus HALLELUJAH!!!! Isabelle has more substance in this book too but unfortunately still kind of just I'm not sure if this is the best way to describe it but she's still only a background character. Everyone has told the story from their perspective at least once in the last few books. Clary has, Jace has, Alec has, Simon has, Luke has but not Isabelle and this makes me sad. I hope she has more in City of Fallen Angels because I really want to like her more than I do and I do like her more than I did but there isn't enough of her in the book to decide for me. 

Things I like about the Book? Clare also uses about 1/3 of the similes and metaphors used in the last two books. No simile paragraphs in sight in this book! Although I still see a simile on the page and kind of hold my breath in terror but nothing to fear in terms of the overuse of metaphors in here I promise!

Favourite Quotes: Spoilers!

1.“I am a man" he told her, "and men do not consume pink beverages. Get thee gone woman, and bring me something brown.”  

2. “Malachi scowled. "I don't remember the Clave inviting you into the Glass City, Magnus Bane."
"They didn't," Magnus said. "Your wards are down."
"Really?" the Consul's voice dripped sarcasm. "I hadn't noticed."
Magnus looked concerned. "That's terrible. Someone should have told you." He glanced at Luke. "Tell him the wards are down.” 

3. “Did you ever think that in a past life Alec was an old woman with ninety cats who was always yelling at the neighborhood kids to get off her lawn? Because I do,”  
 

Rating: I give the book 4 stars! The verdict in this book is that if you stopped reading the series at City of Bone or Ashes (I don't blame you) but this book is a real improvement plough through if only for this book and nothing else! 

 

"Book People" Problems and a quick update

I saw this on Pinterest the other day and thought that it pretty much me sums up perfectly! With a book shelf that's about 1/3 books I'm yet to read then recommendations from friends (both real and goodreads Internet friends) that I can't put off ordering for more than two weeks! I'm stuck in a viscous cycle that means my to-read list will never get any shorter!

I tend to go through phases of loving supernatural and fantasy but then getting a bit board of it and giving realism a go or some classic literature, so I'm a bit sceptical about creating monthly reading lists or anything like that because when I finish something I tend to just go for what I feel like reading whatever genre that might be!

Any who at the moment I'm reading City of fallen angels but I think I might finish it tonight! I really want to finish the series before I start sixth form on Wednesday so it's mission go! I will put my review up soon for city of Glass! I have a bit of a backlog of posts at the moment because I want reviews up in a certain order even though I reviewed them in a different order to this order (has order lost meaning yet?) so basically I'm being extraordinarily particular right now! Up next on my list is Vampire Academy from a (real and really amazing) friend's recommendation so it's set to be a Supernatural September! (I am way too proud of my alliteration right there...) I'm looking forward to reading that next.

What are you reading at the moment? If you befriend me on goodreads then you can see all my updates of where I am in books and things. If your not sure what it is its a social network for readers where you can review and read what other like minded people thought of books as well as recommend and receive recommendations from friends which is really useful when you are interested in a series but not sure about it for what ever reason because you can find or scan the book and see what other people thought of it. Theres a feature where you can join groups too which is really fun! 

See you soon with a new review xxx

City of Ashes Review



So city of ashes is the second instalment of The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. City of Bones is reviewed here for you and as you can see from it- I thought it was a bit of alright at most. I had heard so much hype over the series though and in desperation to buy into it I continued through the series which seems to have been the right decision? Maybe? I enjoyed it but I still feel like this series may be a little overhyped based on these two books that I've read so far... 

The book basically follows Clary continuing though the Shadow Hunter way of life but not everything goes according to plan well it would be a bit dull if it did right? People change, people get hurt and Clary discoveres a thing or two about herself though the course of the book. 

My favourite character? Still Simon of course! I just love his cuteness and he develops so much in every sense from city of bones but he keeps his sweet and kind nature which I love about his development as a character. His story line in this book though was too airy fairy for me though. As horrible as it sounds I would rather him have died than continue though such a strange circumstances that he does. It makes the book a bit wishy washy for me and it gives the impression that she's scared to kill the characters off in a way that makes me think the book was aimed at a younger audience than myself. 

I love Jace too of course, I think it's impossible not to! He is the full package 1. Funny 2. Caring in an obnoxious way with a tough exterior and of course 3. Played by Jamie Campbell Bower in the movie (more on this soon!) as for him and Clary I haven't decided what I think of them together yet. The story makes you confused for Clary in the same way she feels confused for liking him. Is there a Shadow Hunter's Jeremy Kyle? He'd clear up this mess. They could have a two part special 1. You Made me think my son was dead then raised him thinking he was someone else? (they could shorten the title) and part 2. Is she my real sister? I love her! The host could be the Fairie Queen...

Things I like about the book? I love how Clare has given Jace and Simon such brilliant senses of humor but for such different reasons! Jace has that sarcastic sense of humor that makes him in dark and strong at first glance but also charmingly obnoxious in another. In both cases it's very funny and lifts the mood of the book. Simon on the other hand has a nerdy sense of humor that I love equally to Jace's. I also love the chapter names they are beautifully poetic.  
I do have a couple of faults to pick with the book and the series so far though *groans.* first and formost the the outstanding simalarities with characters from Harry Potter. The inquisitor was Umberige in my head reading and I didn't like that simalarity at all. People have mentioned the simalarities between this series and Harry Potter and though I disagree with that completely, I sometimes it seems that Clare has taken inspiration from the best fantasy series of all time making me feel like she lacks origionality. Then theres the sheer number of similes and metaphors. There are paragraphs constructed entirely of them in parts and your just sat their thinking WE GET IT IT'S A METAL BOAT! which I'm not keen on but I still like to follow the story and stuff so I try not to let it bother me! Even though it really does!

Favourite quotes:

1. Adapted from a coming out to your parents leaflet “Mom. I have something to tell you. I’m undead. Now, I know you may have some preconceived notions about the undead. I know you may not be comfortable with the idea of me being undead. But I’m here to tell you that undead are just like you and me … well, okay. Possibly more like me than you.”  

2. “I don't want to be a man," said Jace. "I want to be an angst-ridden teenager who can't confront his own inner demons and takes it out verbally on other people instead."
"Well," said Luke, "you're doing a fantastic job.”  

3. “Well I'm not kissing the mundane," said Jace. "I'd rather stay down here and rot."
"Forever?" said Simon. "Forever is an awfully long time."
Jace raised his eyebrows, "I knew it," he said, "you want to kiss me, don't you?"
Simon threw his hands up in exasperation. "Of course not but if-"
"I guess it's true what they say," observed Jace. "There are no straight men in the trenches."
"That's atheists jackass," said Simon furiously. "There are no atheists in the trenches.”

Rating: I give the book a 3.5 stars rating again same as City of Bones so we'll see if City of Glass is any better. I'm hoping it will be because the Goodreads average rating is higher for the third instalment than this one but with that said the average score for this book on Goodreads is 4.27 so I don't know if it's just me who isn't falling to the ground in admiration for the series? I won't give up though I promise, City of Glass here I come...

What did you think of the book? Let me know in the comments or on good reads if you have any book recommendations or what you thought of the Mortal Instruments series if you have read them, I love to hear what you think of books which is why I spend way too much time on Good reads!