Until I Die #2 by Amy Plum

Genre: Revenants

Hardcover: 353 Pages

Published: May 8, 2012

Series: Revenants

            1. Die for Me

            2. Until I Die

            3. If I Should Die

Rating:★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

  

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

My Review:

            This second book in this series is very much like other second books. It builds upon the first book and gives you a better picture of the plot. At this point of a series you will know if you like the characters or hate them. Personally, I like all the characters. surprisingly I don't have any issues (yet) with Kate or Vincent. HOWEVER, the romance kind of sucks!! The love between Kate and Vincent is not believable. No one, I mean no one falls in love at first sight. That is ridiculous. You don't know the person so you can't say you will like their personality.

            Kate and Vincent have fallen in love with each other *insert-multiple-eye-rolls* yet they don't know anything about each other. Kate has just found out what a Revenant is and she has decided to be with Vincent regardless of his situation. I found this to be very annoying. No one can just fall in love in an instant. I would have liked to see more cute and funny scenes between them and build their relationship instead of jumping in head first.  

            Another issue I had in this book was with Kate. I really liked her attitude in the first book. She was head strong and independent. Now she is a whiny little baby. She complained about many things and I understand her life kind of sucks right now, but at least try to make the best of it. Plus Vincent wanted to keep tabs on her where ever she went. He had his fellow Revenants follow her around, which irritated me more than Kate. Overall, it was an okay book. I just wasn't feeling it and I don't think I will be continuing with this series. 

City of Ashes #2 by Cassandra Clare

Genre: Paranormal Mix

Hardcover: 453 Pages

Published: March 25, 2008

Series: The Mortal Instruments

            1. City of Bones

            2. City of Ashes

            3. City of Glass

            4. City of Fallen Angels

            5. City of Lost Souls

            6. City of Heavenly Fire

Rating:★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

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? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to 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.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Down-world, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

My Review:

My initial thoughts about this book: I don't even like this book. So why do I kind of like it!?

Everyone seems to be in love with this series and I will admit the first book in this series was pretty good. After the unexpected ending of City of Bones, my interest levels had increased. I wanted to know more about Clary and Jace, their relationship and the back ground on the lore. Although I enjoyed reading this book, I did have some issues with the characters, the plot, and the background story.

While the writing has shown some improvement from the previous book, it wasn't engaging enough. I felt like a third person looking into the Mortal Instruments, where sometimes I would miss many small details that would turn out to be big deals. It is a big book and sometimes I found it to drag in some places.  

Not to mention the incest. I mean can you say EWWWWW!!? Jace and Clary like each other a lot. They spend time together even though they suspect that they are brother and sister. Like OMG!! That was just a HUGEEEE mood killer in this installment!! I guess that's why I rated this book with only three stars, and I honestly didn't see that twist coming.  Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling the hype with the second installment. However, I will be continuing this series just to see where the story goes. Hopefully, the ending isn't disappointing like The Infernal Devices.   

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

Genre: Magic

Paperback: 317 Pages

Published: November 8, 2011

Series: Magic Most Foul

1. Darker Still

2. The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie       Stewart

3. The Double Life of Incorporate Things

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

I was obsessed.

It was as if he called to me, demanding I reach out and touch the brushstrokes of color swirled onto the canvas. It was the most exquisite portrait I'd ever seen--everything about Lord Denbury was unbelievable...utterly breathtaking and eerily lifelike.

There was a reason for that. Because despite what everyone said, Denbury never had committed suicide. He was alive. Trapped within his golden frame.

I've crossed over into his world within the painting, and I've seen what dreams haunt him. They haunt me too. He and I are inextricably linked--bound together to watch the darkness seeping through the gas-lit cobblestone streets of Manhattan. Unless I can free him soon, things will only get Darker Still.

My Review:

            What the heck!? The titles for the second and third book are preposterous!!! I mean its a mouth full: The Twisted Tragedy vyasdskjdslkjf'kdjfwijf... That right there is the first thing that makes me not want to continue reading this series! The first book was bad enough, but the titles just ruined this book for me! I don't even...I just.. WHAT!?

           

            Darker Still was fascinating for the first couple of chapters and then it started to go down hill for me. I liked the idea of a mute girl (an idea you don't see often so props for that!) who can jump into pictures and is able to speak. She meets a guy who has been trapped in a painting for hundreds of years and he finally has a chance to be free with her help. But of course life gets in the way and the bad guys ruin things. Bla...Bla...Bla.. However, I was totally turned off by the fact that the two main characters instantly fall in love. Like WTF!? How is that even possible? "Oh look a very handsome guy. I'm in love with him, yay let me merry him!" Um. No.

           

 (Thank You Elsa! The only Disney princess who actually has brains!)

      I am honestly so tired of this insta-love thing that all these authors are pulling. It is unrealistic and unappealing. I can't believe it has come to a point where I drop a book like its a dang hot potato because the main characters instantly fall in love. I would rather see cute scenes between characters and give them a little time to get to know each other, before they confess their undying love for each other. *Insert eye roll* Overall, this book was an okay read. If you look past the issues I guess you can eventually love this book, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. 

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Genre: Paranormal Mix

Hardcover: 485 Pages

Published: March 27, 2007

Series: The Mortal Instruments

            1. City of Bones

            2. City of Ashes

            3. City of Glass

            4. City of Fallen angels

            5. City of Lost Souls

            6. City of Heavenly Fire

Rating:★★★★

 Goodreads Synopsis:

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder― much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know... 

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

My Review:

            I have heard many good and bad things about this book/series. Either you liked it or you didn't. After reading this book I have to say I was definitely interested in this story. This idea of Nephilim, Shadow-hunters and demons was exciting and new. Plus the addition of werewolves, vampires, and warlocks made this an even more fascinating book to read.

            Clare is a 15 year old girl who is out at a club with her best friend, Simon. They are having a good time until Clare witnesses three scary looking teens murder someone. She screams at the top of her lungs and finds out she's the only one who can see them. Hysterical, she follows the teens out the club only to see the empty street.

            A few days later when her mother disappears and Clare is attacked by demons, she finally comes face to face with the three teens from the club. Jace is a Shadowhunter who saves Clare and brings her back to their headquarters. But what do the demons want from Clare? She is only a mundane who suddenly has the Sight and is on the most wanted list for the demons. Can Jace and the rest of the Shadow-hunters figure out what's going on before Clare is attacked again or will they fail and let Clare get captured?

            There were many twists and turns in this book that I didn't expect at all. I was surprised to see some of the events unfold in a different way than I originally thought. I liked the idea of Nephilim who were demon hunters and my favorite part was the ruins they drew on their arms. The concept of the ruins was very fascinating and I wish the author had elaborated more on that. Hopefully, the second book will have more explanations and I can't wait to continue their story. 

Movie Review:

Honestly, the movie kind of sucked. I was super excited when I found out that there was going to be a movie about this book! I couldn't wait to see who they picked for the cast and I was hoping the characters would match the descriptions.

Jace:

No. Just no. In the book Jace is supposed to be a drop dead gorgeous hunk of meat who could make ANY girl fall for him. This ^ is not a drop dead gorgeous hunk of meat. This ^ is okay. I was so disappointed when I saw James Bower playing the role of Jace because I wanted it to be Alex Pettyfer. 

(Ohhh! You gorgeous man! *fans herself*)

And isn't Isabelle supposed to be more prettier than Clare???? Clearly, not in the movie!

                                           

Die for Me by Amy Plum

Genre: Revenants

Hardcover: 341 Pages

Published: May 10, 2011

Series: Revenants

            1. Die for Me

            2. Until I die

            3. If I Should Die

Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

My Review:

Kate and Georgia move to Paris to live with their grandparents after the death of their parents. Life has been really hard on Kate and she can't seem to move past her parents death. As she's sitting in a Cafe she happens to look up and sees a gorgeous guy looking at her. She recognizes him, but can't seem to figure out from where. Vincent Delacroix is mysteries, intriguing and extremely dangerous. And Kate can't help but open her heart to him even though he might be keeping secrets.  

The setting for this book is something I found very refreshing and interesting. Reading a paranormal novel that is not set in the United States or the UK is something new. Although Paris is a very popular city, I liked how the author used this city to create her background. It was something different which is why I liked this book so much.

The plot itself was fascinating. I haven't read a book about Revenants, so when I read this book I was very intrigued. Revenants are like immortals who come back from the dead. Revenants have a purpose, a destiny. They can either choose to ignore it or embrace it. Either way, it takes a lot of self control and energy to do what a Revenant does. So when Kate finds out secrets about Vincent and how he is connected to the Revenants, she will have to decide whether to keep seeing Vincent or choose another path. 

Dark Destiny #3 by M.J. Putney

Genre: Magic

Paperback: 320 Pages

Published: July 3, 3012

Series: Dark Mirror

            1. Dark Mirror

            2. Dark Passage

            3. Dark Destiny

Rating:★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Tory and her friends are celebrating the success of a second mission to aid WWII Britain when an urgent summons calls them back to their own time: Napoleon is on the brink of invading England. Can a handful of young mages stop an army? 

In desperation, Merlin’s Irregulars ask Rebecca Weiss, an untrained telepath from 1940, to come back to 1804 and change Napoleon’s mind before it’s too late. As Tory and Allarde make a commitment that will cost him his inheritance, Rebecca promises to do what she can to stop Napoleon even though she is unsure of her magical abilities. 

But Tory and her friends saved the Weiss family from Nazi imprisonment, and Rebecca will risk anything, even her life and her budding relationship with Nick Rainford, to repay them. A daring mission takes Tory

and Rebecca and their friends into the heart of the Army of Boulogne, where Napoleon is plotting invasion. 

But while their success may save England, they must still face the bittersweet consequences of their decisions when they return home.

  

My Review:

            Tory and her friends are celebrating the success of their second mission to save the French scientists who were captured by the Nazis. They are urgently called back after saving the scientists to their own time because Napoleon is on the brink of invading England. Can theses young magical kids save the entire world and re-write history?

            Desperate for anything, the gang enlists the help of Rebecca Weiss, an untrained telepath from 1940. She is to come back to 1804 and somehow change Napoleon's mind before too many innocent lives are taken. Will she be able to help the mages or will she fail and change the entire future of the world?

            Overall, it was an okay finish to this series. I did however, like the first two books more because it had more action and less history. This book consisted more of the history about the war and politics which I didn't find all that interesting. Plus a lot of the book was focused on the fighting between mages, which was cool, but I wanted more romantic scenes with Tory and Allared.  

Dark Passage #2 by M. J. Putney

Genre: Magic

Paperback: 320 Pages

Published: September 13, 2011

Series: Dark Mirror

            1. Dark Mirror

            2. Dark Passage

            3. Dark Destiny

Rating:★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Safely back in 1803 England, Merlin's Irregulars are more confident, proud, and powerful, but class distinctions complicate their relationships until the mages are called upon to rescue a vitally important French scientist and his family from Nazi-occupier.

My Review:

The gang is back home to 1803 England safe and sound. They have been through a rough patch, but have come back with their entire worldview changed. Not only are they heroic after the events at Dunkirk which has given them confidence and pride, but this dangerous mission has also increased their powers.

Tory:

Her powers and her relationship with Allarde has grown since the last book. They now have a deeper connection after finding out Allarde's deepest darkest secret. Tory must decide what the best decision for her future is. Can she be with Allarde without experiencing guilt in the future about her decision? Or will she risk it all to be with Allarde? If Tory really loves him she will have to walk away from him, but how can she do that when he has become more of a family to her than her real family?  

Allarde:

He is in a tough situation. He has to either give up his magic and marry a non-magical human or forfeit all of his inheritance. Will Allarde be able to give up his love for Tory and leave his inheritance? Or will he forget about Tory and respect his parents decision? Honestly, Allarde is in a very tough situation and I feel for the guy, but at some point he has to make a decision. He is keeping his parents and Tory in limbo by not making a decision. This is bound to cause problems in both relationships.  

Cynthia:

I really didn't like her in the beginning, but I'm starting to like her spunk. After being a hero at Dunkirk she has earned much respect from the other Irregulars, but her sharp tongue keeps everyone at a distance. She is isolated at the Abbey over Christmas break and reluctantly agrees to join Jack and his family for their celebration. There is definitely something brewing between Jack and Cynthia. It is very unexpected and intriguing!

Overall:
Everything seems to be going well until the gang is pulled back into the mirror to save some French scientists from Nazi-occupied France. Tory and Allarde must work together in order to save the scientists or many lives will be at risk. Overall, a good second book. Sure there were some issues with the characters. I was very annoyed with Allarde and his taking a long time to decide, but other than that I say this was a good second book.

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Genre: Sci-fi

Paperback: 374 Pages

Published: February 7, 2012

Series: Under the Never Sky

            1. Under the Never Sky

            2. Through the Ever Night

            3. Into the Still Blue

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

  

WORLDS KEPT THEM APART.

DESTINY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER.

Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she's never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim.

Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He's searching for someone too. He's also wild - a savage - but might be her best hope at staying alive.

If they can survive, they are each other's best hope for finding answers.

My Review:

            Let me start off by saying this is not a bad book. I think this book has a lot of potential and will appeal to a lot of people, but at the same time it turns me off. I was interested for the most part. The beginning started off to a good start, but after a few chapters I was struggling to keep up. I had no idea what the plot was leading to and I was loosing interest fast.

            Aria is living in a world where her people live in pods and fear the outside world. Her people spend most of their time in virtual reality Realms and one day Aria is exiled from her pod city, Reverie. She embarks on a journey with an outsider named Perry, to find her way back to her society. The premise is based on a futuristic approach where people are too busy to go out to the real world and explore. Instead they stay in virtual realms and waste their lives away. I guess what I'm trying to say is that this book isn't really a dystopian novel ( like most people are saying), instead it's more of a sci-fi kinda book. So if this is something that interests you then I suggest you check it out.