Read It With A Buddy #1 - City of Bones

Read It With A Buddy is a spin-off of a feature we started on Goodreads, called the Buddy Read. People who are interested in the same book can decide on a date to start reading it together, and they discuss as they go, answering questions or just talking. Elyssa and I recently finished a Buddy Read for City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. We will provide you with general book info and the product of our combined reviews for the book. Hope you enjoy our united efforts,

--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

___________________________________

City of Bones (Mortal Instruments, #1)
By Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Simon Pulse, 2007
485 pages, paperback
Date Finished: 6/?/2010 (Elyssa) , 6/28/2010 (Zakiya)
Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Action, Young Adult, Coming of Age

First Line of Book: " 'You've got to be kidding me,' the bouncer said, folding his arms across his massive chest."

Notice: In this review, the blue writing is Elyssa (aka Twisted Book Junkie), while the green is moi (me).

Review: First off, I think I need to make it clear that this book is full of tons of witty humor, and if you had a highlighter for great quotes, most of the book would be covered in bright yellow!

Clare's first book for The Mortal Instruments Series just pulled me in deep. Her words spun a fantasy world that had me loving the characters, caring about them. I stayed up late New Year's Eve reading this book early into the morning. Yup, this Twisted Book Junkie spent New Year's with Jace, Clary & Simon. (I recently re-read this book for a challenge.)

**I should mention that Elyssa and I had a little difference in our main characters. We both agree, as can anyone else who has read this book, that Clary and Jace are automatically into focus. Twisted decided to close up on Simon, while I focused more on Isabelle and Alec.**

Cassandra Clare did an excellent job of starting the Mortal Instruments series. From the moment Clary saw Jace, Isabelle, and Alec killing that demon in Pandemonium, the book got even more interesting. A great book . . .

Clary Fray's mother disappears, and soon, Clary befriends local Shadowhunters Jace, Isabelle, and her brother Alec. Together, they recover the Mortal Cup (and unfortunately end up giving it to the enemy) and Clary's mother. They fight against vampires, fight with werewolves, and visit a wizard in hiding. Everything Clary thought was just stories is really apart of her world, and she didn't even know it.

This book starts off with normal teenager Clary Fray who grew up in NYC with her mom, who is a painter. Of course, like a normal teenager, Clary got into a fight with her mother. However, when she came back home she did not get grounded. She got the shock of her life! The apartment was torn up, her mother was no where to be seen, and a hideous black thing attacked her.

Jace is introduced into this story. He is the bad boy that just has steamy good looks. Picture that, now toss in a darkly dressed attitude, and add weapons that help the boy kick butt at killing demons. *Drool* He helps Clary learn about the world that Calry's mom tried so hard to keep hidden from her. Soon Clary's geeky-in-a-cute-way best friend Simon camping out at her Uncle Luke's. Here Jace, Clary, and Simon end up breaking in to his apartment... to find out that he knows about the world of demons, Shadowhunters, and downworlders.

This book really was a great start to the series. It was recommended to me by Elyssa, actually. I was glad that this was another action / adventure book; Clare provided us with action around every corner, and Clary was always getting to visit new places in the world she never knew about. It was thrilling to read everything, although I found myself skipping half a page sometimes, trying to find out what was about to happen. Then, of course, I had to go back and read what I skipped :). Sometimes, I didn't even bother going back!

This book was very thrilling. There were so many twists and turns, but Clare definitely wove her words perfectly throughout the whole book. For me there was never ever a down point. Can we say ORIGINAL!?! I Loved this book. IT was such a great start to a series, and I highly recommend this book.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. It was one of those that I would recommend to anyone who wasn't too picky about what they read.

~WARNING~ There is a big huge twist at the end of the book that will totally floor you! I figured out what was going to happen, but I was still very floored to see it in ink!

Look For:

City of Ashes: The Mortal Instruments #2

City of Glass: The Mortal Instruments #3

City of Fallen Angels: The Mortal Instruments #4 (Not Released Yet)

Clockwork Angel... COMING SOON! (So excited!)

Rating:

Quotes from the Book:

" 'Is this the part where you start tearing off strips of your shirt to bind my wounds?'
'If you wanted me to rip my clothes off, you should have just asked.' "

" 'If you were half as funny as you think you are, you'd be twice as funny as you are now.' "

" 'Just because you call an electric eel a rubber duck doesn't make it a rubber duck, does it? And God help the poor b----rd who decides they want to take a bath with the duckie.' "

" 'The meek may inherit the earth, but at the moment it belongs to the conceited. Like me.' "

" 'Don't.' Clary raised a warning hand. 'I'm not really in the mood right now.'
'That's got to be the first time a girl's ever said that to me,' Jace mused."

" 'Also, I'm sleeping with your mom. Just thought you should know.' "

" 'You hate the Silent Brothers,' protested Isabelle.
'I dohn't hate them,' Jace said candidly. 'I'm afraid of them. It's not the same thing.'
'I thought you said they were librarians,' said Clary.
'They are librarians.'
Simon whistled. 'Those must be some killer late fees.' "

" 'It's so . . . dark,' she said lamely.
'You want me to hold your hand?'
Clary put both her hands behind her back like a small child. 'Don't talk down to me.'
'Well, I could barely talk up to you. You're too short.' "

" 'You shouldn't remember me,' he said. 'I threw up a glamour as hard as a wall as soon as I saw you. You should have run right into it face-first -- psychically speaking.'
If you run into a psychic wall face-first, do you wind up with psychic bruises?"

" 'I was expecting something . . . you know.' He gestured with his hands, indicating something roughly the size of a house cat.
'It's the Mortal Cup, Jace, not the Mortal Toilet Bowl,' said Isabelle."

" 'I should have guessed you were Jace's sister,' he said. 'You both have the same srtistic talent.'
Clary paused, her foot on the lowest stair. She was taken aback. 'Jace can draw?'
'Nah. I was just kidding. He can't draw a straight line.' "

Adult Book Review ---> Tempest's Legacy by Nicole Peeler

Adult Review!!

Tempest's Legacy 

         Jane True #3

By:  Nicole Peeler

Published By:  Orbit

Published Date:  January 1st 2011

Pages:  Softcover 352
Tags:  Adult, Fantasy Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Vampires, Selkies, Mystery

Why the Mad Scientist read this book:  Mad Scientist just had to find out what happened with Jane & Ryu & Anyan!

First Lines:  I love it when people pre-laugh at their own jokes.

Concoction of a Review:

Nicole Peeler's Jane True Series has me on edge.  I read one book one earlier this year.  Jen the Bibliophile sent me book 2 & 3 because she knows my infinity for starting a series but never continuing with it.  After completing Tracking the Tempest a book full of snark and supernatural hunks I quickly decided that this series would not be left unread.

**Note to self:  Go buy book 4, Eye of the Tempest, soon!!!**

Tempest's Legacy jumps in shortly after Tracking the Tempest ended.  Jane continues to train her offensive and defensive magical technique.  Her relationship is still a ball of tension from the end of the last book.  Which leads us to seeing more of Anyan.  Jane's eyes start to wonder toward the Barghest.  *waggles eyebrow*

Nonetheless, there is a surprising bout of news that ruffles Jane's feathers.  Someone found out that supernatural females were being taken.  Not kindly I might add.  This horrid news includes information about someone who she most would love to meet and know more about.  Dying to know who??  *grin*

The mystery takes Jane out of little ol' Rockabill, her hometown in Maine, as she tags along to figure out what exactly is going on and how to stop it.  We have a mix of characters from the first book, from Ryu's Boston team & even a few brand new characters!   Interactions are hilarious at best!!  We are even pulled into a new area... The Borderlands!!  (Many exclamation points but it truly is exciting!)

Here is how I picture Anyan:  As Eric Bana... 

*As previously stated!*

This book has little to no nookie in it so I was a bit disappointed in that but I'm looking forward to Anyan.  *blushes*

It truly is a great series!!!  Peeler's snark is completely sprinkled throughout this novel like the others, however, the demeanor is a lot darker.  The events that unfold are a bit harsh and force Jane to grow even more, powerfully and emotionally.  Jane True is Truly Bad A$$ in this book!

*I received this book free of charge from my sassy friend Jen!  My Mad review is completely honest and full of my thoughts on the book and the very yummy men inside. *

For Jane True this is a story of standing up and accepting herself.  Oh, there is also an incredible mystery to he had!

4.5 Kisses


Originally Posted at Steampunkery & Book Reviews.

Tall, Dark, and Dead by Tate Hallaway

Tall, Dark, and Dead by Tate Hallaway
Publisher: Berkly Books, 2006
Pages: 295
Genres: Action, Adult, Halloween, Romance, Paranormal

A delightful new comedy about witches, vampires, and the search for the perfect man. Recovering witch Garnet Lacey manages Wisconsin's premier occult bookstore. And a fringe benefit of the job is getting customers like Sebastian Von Traum-piercing brown eyes, a sexy accent, and a killer body. The only thing missing is an aura. Which means he's dead. And that means trouble. So what's a girl to do if she's hot for a dead man walking? Run like hell-and take full advantage of the nights.

Super cute book! I think the cover's really cute too, now that I think about it. I really enjoyed reading this. It was so original! It's one of those books that you curl up with on the couch next to the fire on a colder night. Ah, if only that could have happened with this book but unfortunately living with other people makes it hard to happen. The characters were really cute and the plot kept me reading, not always through the night but when it dropped off a bit it got right back on with a new twist or plot. This is a good book to read when you just want to relax and have a good funny read. Hallaway has a good way of making things that are normally heavy light, which is great attribute to have in writing!

As I said before about sitting with this book on a nice fall/winter night this book can be categorized as a Halloween book but definitely not limited to the season. As for it being an adult book beware, this is a book for adults or mature teens as it does have some kind of explicit sex. Not to explicit but if sex in books bother you in any way this is not a book for you. That said, I didn't think it was all that bad. Oh and as for the Garnet, our main character, I was reading some other reviews before I read the book and some of them did not like Garnet because she was a little...well, slutty, and sometimes could be annoying. While I did find her very much into guys, well a certain guy I suppose, I liked her a lot but I can see where some people may not like her. But as said before, I liked her.

If you're looking for a funny Halloween story this is for you! It was very original and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

4 Kisses!




Qoutes: I was keeping track of the qoutes that I really liked on a postcard that also served as my bookmark, but I read the book a while ago and now I can't find where I put it. But know that this book is really funny and will have you laughing lots!

War of the Book (1) - Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

For today's post, we thought we would do something different. Elyssa came up with the idea to have a book war. As I am all for fighting whenever possible, I jumped up at the prospect of a book war. We of course had to choose a book that we had differing opinions on otherwise the fight would be pointless.

So, how this will go is I will post Elyssa's review of the book. Then following that will be my (Jen's) review of the book. After, everyone will comment on which one they believe the most or feel should win and why. That way Elyssa and me can post our rebuttals (comebacks).

I hope everyone is as excited for this as we are, we've been working on our reviews for sometime trying to spice them up for the kill. We've pulled out all our verb weaponry and our artillery of expressions to bring to you a battle of epic proportions.

Please reply with all the comments you would like concerning our banter (just make sure it's clean and no profanity please). We cannot wait to find which one of us have conquered the book war and become the champion!
--Jen the Bibliophile

Title: Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #1)

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Page: 392

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy Fiction, Coming of Age

First Line: I remembered lying in the snow, a small red spot of warm going cold, surrounded by wolves.

(UK Cover) Elyssa's Review

Review: I read this tale spun by Maggie Stiefvater back in January. I remember being so excited to see what this book was about and then being fairly disappointed. *Sigh*

I hate to do this, I really do because I don't ever go into a book expecting it to be like another. To me that isn't right. I even know that the draft for Shiver was written before Twilight was published but I cannot look past the bad similarities. We have a boring dull girl, who cooks for her parents, and is on the line of obsessive with the hard to imagine supernatural boyfriend. Now that I got that off my chest lets continue onward.

Grace is supposed to be the main character, ah, can we order her a bit of a personality? Please. Flat personality is just not entertaining. She was saved by a wolf when others wolves were trying to make a meal out of her. She is now in love with her beloved hero wolf, weird. Can anyone say bestiality? Now on top of that "her" wolf just happens to become human who just happens to love her too. What is that? Their conversations that were not about weather felt forced. It just was not very believable. Yes, it is fantasy but I would still like my story to have a touch authentic possibility.

Now that I established that the relationship between Grace & Sam is less then convincing lets talk about Grace's parents. Apparently they have such a culturally artistic rich life that they do not really bother themselves with their daughter who is in love with a wolf. Speaking of said wolf that turns into boy... How do they not notice that he is sleeping in their daughters room? I can believe in an artsy couple in NYC, LA, and even Chicago but not in some small Hickville Town, MINN.

As much as I don't care for the storyline I do like that the chapters 1st person narration alternates between the main characters. Or at least I should say if Grace and Sam had different personalities. I found myself flipping to the beginning of the chapter to see who's brain I was in. Sometimes while reading a book I sit back and wonder what the other character is thinking or feeling just not with this book.

The most amazing aspect of this book was the ink. Yes. The ink. I loved that the ink was blue. To me it was the only demeanor of the book that I found unique. Even the cover to me seemed so similar to other books, for example: Her Fearful Symmetry.

Quite frankly, this book did not make me "Shiver" in a good way. This is a book I would not tell you to read. I would not want you to waste your time on a book with such huge plot holes and horrible prose.

Quotes:

"What do you eat?"

"Baby bunnies." She narrowed her eyes, so I grinned and said, "Adult bunnies, too. I'm an equal-opportunity bunny-eater."

"Books are more real when you read them outside."

"I'd found heaven and grabbed it as tightly as I could, but it was unraveling, an insubstantial thread sliding between my fingers, too fine to hold."

"Of all my pet peeves, condescending adults were probably at the top of the list."

Rating: 2 Kisses

(US Cover) Jen's Review:

Before you read this review, you have to understand something about me. My favorite genre is YA, specifically paranormal fantasy. The problem with this is that a lot of the books in that particular genre tend to be along the same lines, just with different characters. So, that being said, I'm always on the lookout for different books with stories I haven't heard before. Something different, something new, although that is not to say I will not read it. It just depends...

I remember skimming the synopsis for Shiver and seeing the word "wolf" and moving on to the next book.

Big Mistake.

I'm very glad I went back and re-read the synopsis when my book group read came out. This book turned out to be something different and something new (it also turned out to be something borrowed (library book) and something blue *winks right eye* the cover and the ink inside are blue!).

That evening after checking it out, I'd squished myself in between the ironing board and the door to the closet with a pillow between me and the wall. It was about 10:00 p.m. when I was finally able to start. I made it halfway through the 392 page book before I had to give into the evil sleep monster.

I finished it two days later, which was when I decided on 3 things:

1. This definitely makes my Top 10 best books I've ever read
2. Maggie Stiefvater is now one of my Top 5 favorite authors

3. I must now go out and buy a copy for my closet library (which I did this last Monday)

Stiefveter tells the story from a double first person narrative, alternating between the 2 main characters points of view. This, I think, above all else helps the beautiful development of Grace & Sams' characters.

Grace: Strong, Independent, Smart...thoughtful
Sam: Sweet, Intellectual, Loving, Sensitive...wolfy :P

It was a nice change to meet a younger female character who wasn't always questioning herself and whining about… well, everything. Sam though, he was a breath of fresh air. He was so... aware... caring, sweet, and even though it sounds contradictory, unaware of his wonderfulness. He was sensitive without the skinny jean look and still a nice slab of muscled 18 year old man.

I loved the unique story line of boy turned wolf in wintry cold and wolf turned boy in warm summery goodness. Of a girl that cannot understand why she is drawn to the woods outside her house and the wolves who live in them. Of a young wolf who saves a young girl and when they are all grown how she must try to save him. I loved the authors tone, her words. How she could make me feel like I was sitting there with Sam and Grace, feeling everything they were feeling. It was so beautiful, so eloquent, so real.

I cried.

Yes, her parents were – out of control – weird. Like the fact that they didn’t know there was a wolf-boy staying in their house. Turns out those actual characters with the working all the time father married to the painting all day mother who party most nights was based upon an actual couple Steifvater knew (and she is from a small town in Virginia). Proving you can find crazy no matter where you look.

Despite parents like those, Grace was strong. She could take care of herself. It was a nice flip from the whiny female characters of today who wait for the man/boy to rescue them. I loved her strength and stoicism throughout the book and how it lent to the mood in the novel. I loved the slow pacing of the poetic prose and how it facilitated the development of my feelings for all things Shiver.

Shiver was creative and alluring, pulling me into the plot making me never want to let go.

I will in fact be putting this book on my to re-read list. If you haven't read it...

YOU MUST.

Quotes:

"Some days seem to fit together like a stained glass window. A hundred little pieces of different color and mood that, when combined, create a complete picture."

"Sam: I didn't think I belonged here in her world, a boy stuck between two lives, dragging the dangers of the wolves with me, but when she said my name, waiting for me to follow, I knew I'd do anything to stay with her."

"right in this moment, I can´t even remember what unhappy feels like."

"Tuesdays were my favorite day. I don't remember why-it was just something about the way that u looked like when it was next to e that seemed very friendly."

"There was no sun; there was no light. I was dying. I couldn't remember what the sky looked like. But I didn't die. I was lost to a sea of cold, and then I was reborn into a world of warmth."

5 out of 5 Kisses

--Jen the Bibliophile (Broadcasting from my closet)

{ARC} Book Review ---> Legend by Marie Lu

Legend: 
     (Legend #1)  

By:  Marie Lu

Published By:   Putnam Juvenile

Published Date:  November 29th 2011

Pages:   Hardcover 336

Read:  August 2011

Book Cover Rating:  4

Tags:  Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance, Fantasy Fiction, Apocalypitc, Adventure 
Why the Mad Scientist read this book:  Signed ARC from BEA 2011.  It sounded like a wonderful fun adventure. 

First Lines:   My mother thinks I'm dead.

Concoction of a Review:

Legend is an action packed book set in future Los Angeles.  The United States is no longer United... or better known as the Republic.  The commander is cruel, lethal, and I would like to see where she fits into the story more with book two.  I believe that if a country and it's government thinks they are amazing and doing right by all of their people I would have to say, "what is the catch?"  I mean who doesn't love blackmail and corruption?!?  *Shakes head*


When the Republic is not busy being corrupt they are off at war with the Colonies.


The inky goodness here alternates between June & Day.  I admit the Mad Scientist loved the gold lettering.

June

A 15 year old prodigy who had a perfect score on her trial.  (Futuristic SAT basically.)  She is also a serious kick-butt chick.  June is excellent at military activities such as expertly handling guns & scaling buildings in record time, nonetheless, she has a feminine wardrobe that made me envious of our little hero.

She was rich thing but very humble about it.  How could you not enjoy her?

Her life is tossed upside down when Metias, her brother was murdered.  She was pulled out of university to fulfill her military duties...  Including the capture of the Republics worse criminal  ---> Day.  She was happy to take this job knowing that she could not let Metias's killer walk around.

Day


Day had the Mad Scientist from the very beginning.  Poor, caring, blue eyes, and well, just too interesting to not enjoy reading about him.  Darn my little heart swooned for him & felt sad when the worst was going on.  Why Day?  *tear*


He was from the poor area of the Republic where things just were not kind.  Illegal fights, starvation and plague was to be had on the streets.  Yet, our handsome 15 year old endeared without carrying one of those ugly chips on his shoulders.


He was very found of his family even if they thought he was dead.  He tried to protect them in every way possible... one day it meant doing the most incredible thing!


Tess was a poor girl that he ended up befriending.  She was medical wonder as well.  Strong yet vulnerable at the same time made her a wonderful side character.  I adored her greatly.  Day protected her and she looked after him just the same.

Here is how I picture Day:  As Emile Hirsch...

**Side Note:  Mad Scientist is specifically thinking of the longish blonde hair from the movie, Lords of Dogtown.  His long hair flowing as he skateboarded down the ramp is perfect for this book!**

The Clash


June was wondering about in the poor sector doing undercover work, looking for the murderer.  Just so happens everyone thinks it is Day.  She ended up getting into an unfortunate predicament when protective Day swooped in and saved her even though she was a stranger.  He fell for her and she... You will just have to read to find out *wink wink*


From then on their lives are woven together.  From opposite sides of society and trying to make it in the world.

---

Overall, *pops parasol* let me be honest here.  Legend nhas scandal, murder & adventure.  However, I did set this book down half way through for a day or two.  I did not feel the desperate need to get back to it.  Although, Day did bring me back.  Curiosity will kill the Mad Scientist one day.


I also admit that I loved the second half of the book!!  I'm so glad I did not forget to finish this one.

*Free ARC from BEA 2011 which did not impede on my Mad Review.  It is completely honest and full of my thoughts on the book and the very persistent young man inside. *

A dystopian book that the Mad Scientist actually enjoyed.  I'm hooked on Day and await book Two!  
4 Kisses

Originally Posted at Steampunkery & Book Reviews.