Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton & Interview w/Tessa!

Blood Magic (Blood Journals, #1)

By Tessa Gratton

Publisher: Random House Children's Books, 2011

405 pages, hardcover

Date Finished: 19/6/2011

Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Romance, Action

Draw a circle ... place a dead leaf in the center ... sprinkle some salt ... recite a little Latin ... add a drop of blood ...


Maybe that last part isn't exactly simple. Yet somehow it feels right to Silla Kennicott. And nothing in her life has felt remotely right since her parents' horrific deaths. She's willing to do anything to uncover the truth about her family—even try a few spells from the mysterious book that arrived on her doorstep ... and spill some blood.

The book isn't the only recent arrival in Silla's life. There's Nick Pardee, the new guy next door who may have seen Silla casting a spell. She's not sure what he saw and is afraid to find out. But as they spend more time together, Silla realizes this may not be Nick's first encounter with Blood Magic. Brought together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick can't deny their attraction. And they can't ignore the dark presence lurking nearby—waiting to reclaim the book and all its power.

Tessa Gratton's intoxicating first novel will keep pulses racing, minds reeling, and pages turning right up to the very last drop of blood.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "I am Josephine Darly, and I intend to live forever."
~Last Line: "Silla stared at the eyes of the first one and reached out her hand."

Review: Blood Magic was not what I thuoght it would be. It was even better!!

I was so instantaneously pulled in to the story as Silla received the book full of spells that was simply signed "The Deacon." He obviously knew her father if he was sending this to her, but her dad would never have believed in magic, right? Wll, it's wrong.

The characters in this novel were really awesome. They were thought out for sure. I would like to applaud Tessa (and every other author whose book I'm reviewing this week) for their amazing details! You could be probably be the character/s if they got any more descriptive. That's definitely a good thing, though!

The plot line of Blood Magic is  unquestionably original if you ask me. I've never read a book like this at all. Entirely intriguing and a completely new concept. I really loved it and can't wait until The Blood Keeper is released!! :)

 (10 out of 5)

Quotes from the book:

"And just like that she was crying. I felt a little like That Guy who holds a baby at arm's length because he's afraid it's going to pee on him.."

" 'Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.'
Automatically, I replied, 'I'd like to see your deep--' but thank God I stopped before I said something unforgiveable in front of her grandma.
And her brother."

" 'It was Lilith, wasn't it? What did that b---h say now?'
'Nicholas Pardee, you will not, I repeat, not refer to MAry by that awful name.'
'Which one?' "

______________________________________________________________

And now, for the interview with Tessa Gratton herself!!!!!!!

1. Have you always wanted to be an author?
Since I was about 8! I wanted to be other things, too. A ballerina, a paleontologist, an actor, and a wizard. (I still want to be a wizard.)

2. What gave you the idea for Blood Magic?
I was walking my dog around the park, and I just thought of it! Originally, it was about a brother and sister dealing with magical powers, with an evil body-snatcher after them!

3. If you could go anywhere in the world for a week, where would you go?
Oh, everywhere! Someplace I know I love: either Sydney, Australia, or Budapest, Hungary. If it’s a place I haven’t been but want to go… Sweden.

4. Who are some of your favorite authors?
Robin McKinley, Patricia McKillip, Kristin Cashore, Anne Rice, Melina Marchetta, Tim O’Brien.

5. What can we expect from you within the next few years?
I have a companion novel to Blood Magic out in the next year, and after that, I can’t say! Hopefully a new series!

6. What do you l ike to do when you’re not writing?
I’m addicted to Netflix – especially crime dramas and comedy. I also love walking outside under the big Kansas sky and spending time grilling with friends.

7. Do you have a favorite movie?
Oooo. Um. “Spirited Away” probably, if I HAVE to pick one. It’s AMAZING.

8. Is there a specific day that you love to write on?
Any of them! All of them!

9. How can my followers and I keep up with you?
I’ve got a website: http://www.tessagratton.com/, with links to my blog, Twitter, FB page, GoodReads page, and YouTube page. I’m all over the place!


Awesome interview, Tessa!

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

City of Glass (Mortal Instruments, #3)
By Cassandra Clare
Publisher: McElderry Books, 2009
541 pages, paperback
Date Finished:
Genres: Action, Some Adventure, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters -- never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her new found powers to help save the Glass City -- whatever the cost?
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "The cold snap of the previous week was over; the sun was shining brightly as Clary hurried across Luke's dusty front yard, the hood of her jacket up to keep her hair from blowing across her face."
~Last Line: "She looked as the fireworks exploded in a shower of sparks -- sparks that painted the clouds overhead as they fell, one by one, in streaking lines of golden fire, like angels falling from the sky."

Review: "..........................." That's what my noise level was like after I finished this novel. It was better than fantastic, better than marvelous or wonderful or spectacular. I cried during the book. I was so hating the fact that I finished the book, but I'm super-glad that the next book, City of Fallen Angels, comes out in April.

Clary and Jace find out so much about themselves in this novel; like, they REALLY do. There's a major, but very short, battle in the story. The characters -- all of them -- are so much more developed. They grow up so much in City of Glass, and that's definitely a good thing. So with the battle, of course, there was action. There wasn't oh-so-much adventure, but I liked that we weren't just in New York in this installation of the Mortal Instruments series.

Honestly... Ugh. I can only say so much without spoiling. One thing that I will tell you, though, is that there are 2 deaths and one half-death. The first death I was shocked; the second I was sad, but didn't cry; the third -- geez, I cried like a baby. But the person comes back to life by a spectacular being, so we're straight :).

OH! More evil Valentine in this one!

Anyway, read this book!




(10 out of 5 Kisses)

Quotes from the book:

" 'Clary,' Jace said.
Simon was caught off guard. 'Clary?'
'Clary,' Jace said again. 'You know: short, redheaded, bad temper.' "

" 'I don't remember the Clave inviting you into the Glass City, Magnus Bane.'
'They didn't,' Magnus said. 'Your words are down.'
'Really?' the Consul's voice dripped sarcasm. 'I hadn't noticed.'
Magnus looked concerned. 'That's terrible. Someone should have told you.' "

"Samuel's voice rose to a scream. 'GO AWAY!'
Simon looked sideways at Jace. 'I think he means it.'
Jace shook his blond head in exasperation. 'You had to make a crazy jail friend, didn't you? You couldn't just count ceiling tiles or tame a pet mouse like normal prisoners do?' "