Category: 5 Stars - Jam and her TBR Jar

The Casual Vacancy by: JK Rowling

7/10/2015

The Casual Vacancy by: JK Rowling
Synopsis: A BIG NOVEL ABOUT A SMALL TOWN ...
When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, the town of Pagford is left in shock.
Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.
Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils ... Pagford is not what it first seems.
And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?

Alright... its review time!!

Okay so I am in the middle of final exams right now so this novel took me a week or two to finish but oh my goodness am I happy that I read this!!! I was extremely hesitant at first because I have heard SOOO many mixed reviews about but I found the HARDCOVER copy at a local garage sale for $2 so I couldn't pass it up. I admit, when I first read the plot, I was not impressed. It sounded boring and more tailored to adults (politics aren't really our youths forte). This novel however, isn't about politics, the Casual Vacancy is simply about life. Basically, this book is about the death of one of the councillor/politicians dudes in a REALLY small British town and how this mans death effects all of the members in the community. The thing that I really loved though was the fact that it was written from the perspectives of the rich and the poor, the old and the young. It showed all the nitty and gritty drama and secrets behind of the pretty curtain that a lot of families hide behind and how it effected both the kids and the parents. It showed how Barry Fairbrother's death effected the rich people who knew him really well but also the not so rich people. It showed how easy it is for your life to fall apart but also how easy it is for someone else to come along and help you put it back together. Parts of it were hilarious while other parts were heartbreaking and extremely hard to read about but in the end, it was real life and I loved it. I can see why a lot of people struggle to finish it or get bored halfway through because JK Rowling is VERY verbose in this novel. There is a lot of dialogue and character building (which can get confusing at times because there are so many characters) but in the end, when everything ties together... my goodness... it is incredible. Rowling proves once again but an absolute badass she is.

Happy reading nerds and sound off in the comments with your opinion on this novel!

Winger by: Andrew Smith

7/10/2015

Winger by: Andrew Smith
Synopsis: Ryan Dean West is a fourteen-year-old junior at a boarding school for rich kids in the Pacific Northwest. He’s living in Opportunity Hall, the dorm for troublemakers, and rooming with the biggest bully on the rugby team. And he’s madly in love with his best friend Annie, who thinks of him as a little boy.

With the help of his sense of humor, rugby buddies, and his penchant for doodling comics, Ryan Dean manages to survive life’s complications and even find some happiness along the way. But when the unthinkable happens, he has to figure out how to hold on to what’s important, even when it feels like everything has fallen apart.

Filled with hand-drawn info-graphics and illustrations and told in a pitch-perfect voice, this realistic depiction of a teen’s experience strikes an exceptional balance of hilarious and heartbreaking.

Alright, its review time!!

WOW. I did not anticipate that this novel would do this to me. I had heard that it was really funny (and my god was it FUNNY!!) and relatable but I didn't think it was going to give me "the feeling". Do you know the feeling where everything seems to move in slow motion and you can almost feel like a blanket of sadness settle on your shoulders that you can't seem to shake? That feeling that makes you stop talking to those around you and instead you just sit there and stare at walls for hours on end (tears are optional)? Not a lot of authors can manage to make me feel this way but this author did. Times 100. Ryan Dean West isn't just a character. I believe that he is simply a reflection of myself and teenagers in general. I am a huge supporter of the LGBT community so this book just makes me sad and disappointed with people in our society. I can't even begin to put into words the anger that I feel towards some of the people in this book. Andrew Smiths voice and basically every part of this novel is pure genius and just... real. EVERYTHING about Winger is just simply, real. Im not going to write about any spoilers or the big events that occurred in this book but just trust me please when I say that every teen and adult needs to read this. Wow. Just wow.

Happy reading nerds and sound off in the comments with your opinion on this novel!

Very Good Lives by: JK Rowling

5/18/2015

Very Good Lives by: JK Rowling
Synopsis: In 2008, J.K. Rowling delivered a deeply affecting commencement speech at Harvard University. Now published for the first time in book form, Very Good Lives offers J.K. Rowling’s words of wisdom for anyone at a turning point in life, asking the profound and provocative questions: How can we embrace failure? And how can we use our imagination to better both ourselves and others?

Drawing from stories of her own post-graduate years, the world-famous author addresses some of life’s most important issues with acuity and emotional force.

Alright, Its review time!

Wow. I walked into my neighborhood Indigo, spotted this beauty, plopped my butt down and devoured it. JK Rowling is such an inspiration to me and I am so thankful to her for changing my life, whether she knows it or not. This speech is so beautiful, poetic and perfect in every sense of the world. This woman is such an incredible writer and I couldn't help getting chills throughout this entire speech. What I loved is that she didn't just talk about things that are relevant to graduating students. Instead, she talked about things that anyone can relate to (failure, imagination, empathy, love). For me, it is such an huge inspiration to hear her talk about her past and how she over came it. A lot of people (myself included), tend to put celebrities on a pedestal and look at them as some God that needs to worshipped. What I love about JK Rowling is that she is human and isn't afraid to acknowledge it and use it to motivate and help other people.

"You might never fail on the scale I did, but some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default."

This speech was just so beautiful and as cliche as it sounds, it really makes you think. I am just so happy that this was put into print and that it now sits of my shelf. The proceeds from this book also go towards Harvard Aid as well as Rowling's organization Lumos, which works towards ending the institutionalization of children across the globe. I HIGHLY recommend this to any human. Please pick this up.

Happy reading nerds! Sound off in the comments with opinions and perspectives on this speech.

Love and Other Unknown Variables by: Shannon Lee Alexander

10/7/2014

Scientifically, I know beginnings don't exist. The world is made of energy, which is neither created or destroyed. Everything she is was here before me. Everything she was will remain. Her existence touches both my past and my future at one point- infinity.
Lifelines aren't lines at all. They are more like circles.
Its safe to start anywhere and the story will curve its way back to the starting point. Eventually.
In other words, it doesn't matter where I begin. It doesn't change the end.

Love and other Unknown Variables by: Shannon Lee Alexander
Synopsis: Charlie Hanson has a clear vision of his future. A senior at Brighton School of Mathematics and Science, he knows he’ll graduate, go to MIT, and inevitably discover solutions to the universe’s greatest unanswered questions. He’s that smart. But Charlie’s future blurs the moment he reaches out to touch the tattoo on a beautiful girl’s neck.

The future has never seemed very kind to Charlotte Finch, so she’s counting on the present. She’s not impressed by the strange boy at the donut shop—until she learns he’s a student at Brighton where her sister has just taken a job as the English teacher. With her encouragement, Charlie orchestrates the most effective prank campaign in Brighton history. But, in doing so, he puts his own future in jeopardy.

By the time he learns she's ill—and that the pranks were a way to distract Ms. Finch from Charlotte’s illness—Charlotte’s gravitational pull is too great to overcome. Soon he must choose between the familiar formulas he’s always relied on or the girl he’s falling for (at far more than 32 feet per second squared).

Alright... review time!

*I want to say a huge thank you to Entangled Teen for sending me an early ARC of this novel*

This book was incredible. It was nothing like I expect it to be. Based on the cover and the synopsis, I kind of expected this book to be more of a cutesy, romance book that would have me squealing and fangirling because of the cute couple (Charlie and Charlotte). I was not at all expecting to find tears streaming down my face. Nor was I prepared for the perfect mixture of sadness and hope that caused my heart to do these weird little cartwheel things in my chest. Im not going to say anything else in the non-spoilery section of this review because I believe that it is best to go into this knowing as little as possible. If you haven't read this, do it. Now. Fans of the Fault In Our Stars will LOVE this.

**DO NOT read any farther if you have not read this book. Spoiler ALERT. You have been warned. **

I freakin LOVED this book. The quotes, the romance, the dialogue. It was all perfect! I think the thing that really made me love this book though was the characters. I could see a bit of myself in each of them.

In Charlie, I saw my inner nerd. My need to always be pleasing teachers and the pressures of always being expected to be the best at everything. I loved seeing the reckless feeling that came him when he skipped school that one day to visit Charlotte! That made me laugh. I saw myself in him when he struggled to decide what to do with his future. I saw myself in him whenever he referenced Harry Potter. ;) I used to be obsessed with math and science and while I still did a lot of reading, I didn't understand the power that words really held. Its just been in the last year that I realized how much more a poem can move you and understand you then the process of photosynthesis. I loved watching Charlies journey. But most of all, Charlie and I shared the same want to love people. Not necessarily a boy/girlfriend, just a friend. Just putting someone who we care about above ourselves. Caring about the people who we love.

In Becca, Charlie's sister, I saw my love to read. I understand her fear of going out on her own adventure and meeting new people. Sometimes its easier to just submerse yourself in a book. I absolutely loved when she sat in her room crying over Charlottes death and the first thing she did was build a wall around herself from books. She literally did what a lot of people do internally. I loved that about her.

In Greta and James, I saw the friendships I have with my friends. The way Charlie, James and Greta stuck together through thick and thin made me think of not only my own best friends, by the friends Ive lost as well. I think everyone needs to find a Greta in their own life.

In Jo, Charlotte's sister, I saw not really myself, but some of the adults around me. Jo had so much pressure on her shoulders and you could see the effect it had on her. She was so worried about Charlotte, she wasn't focussing on herself as much.

And lastly Charlotte. I saw myself in her wanting to be free. To just be able to take a step back and disappear to a different place and be a different person. To not be around people who know all your flaws but be around people who will take you for who you are in the moment. At the same time, I absolutely loved watching Charlotte realize that maybe its not so bad to have people know about who you are. Charlie helped give her a place to be herself without the fear of being ridiculed and judged. In my eyes, he gave her safe home and I think that was one of the best gifts he could have given her.

The ending of this book was so heart breaking yet so hopeful. I respected Charlottes decision to forgo treatment, but I wish the rest of her family had as well. She knew she was going either way but she wanted to go as a whole person not a shell of what she used to be. My heart completely went out to Charlie but I knew he would someday learn to live with the pain. Someday, hopefully the angels wing will heal itself.

Happy reading nerds and sound off in the comments with your opinions and perspectives on this book! :)

Isla and the Happily Ever After by: Stephanie Perkins

8/12/2014

Isla and the Happily Ever After by: Stephanie Perkins
(third book in the Anna and the French Kiss companion trilogy)

Synopsis: From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

Alright... review time!! If given the option, I would give this book hundreds upon thousands of stars. In the past year or two, I have read a lot of contemporary romance books. Out of all of them, I have never read any that even compare to Stephanie Perkins writing. She is so unbelievably talented. She somehow is able to have the perfect combination of romance, comedy, and deep soul searching in all her books and it absolutely takes my breathe away. While reading Isla, I laughed, screamed, cried, giggled, and fangirled... I basically experienced every emotion possible. I applaud Miss. Perkins for that. If you haven't read her books.... you really need to sort out your priorities. :)

**Do not read past this point if you have not read this incredible book. You will be SPOILED**

Isla and Josh..... I honestly did not expect to love these characters as much as I did.

Isla: Wow.... I think I have to say that she is my favourite girl to read about from the series. It had nothing to do with that fact that she was a better person or because she was funnier or anything like that. It was because I could relate the most to her out of all of them. Like myself, Isla reads a lot and loves to learn. She's at the top of all of her class and because of that she puts a lot pressure on herself. People always think that being the smartest kid in the class is easy and that they have it a lot easier. Sometimes thats not the case. Its hard to always have people judging you, always expecting your best and if, God forbid, you mess up once, they will never let you forget it. I loved that fact that Isla was quiet about her successes and that she was more reserved. Truthfully though, I think the main reason I really connected with her was because of her insecurities. She looked at herself and questioned why she was special. Why anyone would love her. What her purpose was. She was in a really place and she was able to pull herself out of it and I really look up to her for that.

Josh: This dude was FREAKIN ADORABLE. Like why can't I go to school with guys like this? Gahhhh. I think one of the main things I look for in male characters (and guys in everyday life) is someone who has a passion. Not just someone who enjoys sitting on the couch and has a passion for alcohol shopping, but someone who has a passion for something that can alter your opinion on the world. Examples: literature, cinematography, nature, photography and in Josh's case, art. Yes, his sexy grin, flirtatious charm and jokes were amazing and had me giggling and dying inside but I think it was those moments when Josh saw beautiful architecture or talked about a book that I really fell in love with him. The effect that his mural in the tree house had on Isla was beautiful and the way Josh traveled to his own place and got in his "art zone" was gorgeous. His love for the magic of art made me fall in love with him.

I absolutely LOVED the setting, plot twists and especially, the dialogue! All the characters are freaking hilarious and just amazing. And that ending..... just slayed me! Josh's graphic novel both broke my heart and mended it all at the same time. Also, when Anna, Etienne, Lola, Cricket, Meredith, Isla and Josh all go together at the end of the book.... BEST ENDING EVER! The proposal. I in no way, shape, or form saw that coming! Beautiful and in my opinion, a genius way to give readers the closure we needed!

I seriously can't get over this book and I highly doubt that I ever will. Perkin's writing is always something that I can come back to for a pick me up and I will definitely be rereading this book in the near future! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Happy reading nerds and sound off in the comments with you opinions and perspective on this masterpiece of a novel! :)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

8/7/2014

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows By: JK Rowling

Synopsis: Harry is waiting in Privet Drive. The Order of the Phoenix is coming to escort him safely away without Voldemort and his supporters knowing - if they can. But what will Harry do then? How can he fulfill the momentous and seemingly impossible task that Professor Dumbledore has left him?
The epic finale to an epic series.

I finished rereading this about 2 days ago I believe. I am still having difficulties gaining a coherent thought. Like honestly, these books are so vast, detailed and intricate, its impossible to cover all everything. I think most importantly, I want to say thank you to the wonderful JK Rowling. Thank you for giving me something to identify with. Thank you for creating characters that I could relate too. Thank you for giving me a world unlike anything any one has ever seen. Thank you for writing something that helped make me the way I am today.

"After all this time?"
"Always," said Snape.

I will ALWAYS be a fan of these books. I will ALWAYS strive to be brave like a Gryffindor, kind like a Hufflepuff, smart like a Ravenclaw and ambitious like a Slytherin. I will ALWAYS value my friends and do my best to support them in everything they do. I will ALWAYS stand by what I believe in and not let people push me around. I may be a muggle, but I will ALWAYS have the heart of a wizard. Thank you.

Happy reading nerds and sound off in the comments with your opinion and perspective on this book! :)

Inheritance by: Christopher Paolini

2/23/2014

Inheritance by: Christopher Paolini
Synopsis: It began with Eragon... It ends with Inheritance.

Not so very long ago, Eragon — Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider — was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.

Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chance.

The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?

This is the spellbinding conclusion to Christopher Paolini's worldwide bestselling Inheritance cycle.

Alright.... its review time!!!

Holy!!!!! I seriously can't live like this.... that ending... the tears... the sadness.... i completely forgot how much i love these books!! The feels i am experiencing right now, UGH!! I love the length of these books and after all 4 of them i feel like I i know the characters soooo well. The deep connection I feel with all of them is something that is really hard to find in books and is a sure sign of an amazing author! I love Christopher P's writing. It is soooooo magical! He is a very verbose and descriptive writer which I love because it makes the world and character building so much more believable and real. I also love all the different and unique names used for the characters and cities. It helps make the reader feel like you are in a completely new world and anything is possible. It also just makes makes the story much memorable and enjoyable (although pronunciation is a pain sometimes) Every time I picked up any of these books to read I was immediately sucked into the world and I had troubles getting out! Once you start these books you can not put them down!

** Do not read any farther if you have not read ALL FOUR of the books in this series. SPOILER ALERT **

The ending of this book seriously broke my heart. I am angry yet happy and then I'm crying and laughing and.... i do not know what to think! It is extremely sad that Eragon is leaving the empire and everyone in it. Especially right after Roran had his daughter. It kills me that he is leaving Arya and may never see her again. At the same time it is so wonderful that Eragon is gonna train the new generation of riders and that he is gonna rebuild the dragon race. I just don't understand how he can say that he is never gonna come back! Imagine how the people of the empire will respond to that! The saddest part though was the goodbyes. Eragon experienced everything with Nasuada, Arya, Orik, Orrin, Roran, etc etc and for him to leave them all behind... there is not a goodbye that could encompass all of the feelings that Eragon had towards each and every one of them. It breaks my heart.

At least Eragon has Saphira and vice versa. I absolutely love the bond between the riders and the dragons. To have someone understand you so intensely and deeply is just an endearing concept. I was soo happy when Arya become a rider because after losing her mother and all the battles. After all of her hardships, she now has someone who can understand her pain and help her through it. Not to mention Firnen and Saphira <3 Is it bad that I ship two dragons this hard? I love how Saphira got her wish for a mate even if she had to leave him.

I highly recommend these books to anyone who enjoys fantasy and a detailed story! WOW!! I will always remember these books and I am very happy that I decided to reread them! JUST WOW!

Happy reading nerds! Sound off in the comments with you opinions and perspective on this series! :)

Vampire Academy By: Richelle Mead

1/17/2014

Vampire Academy Series By: Richelle Mead
Book #1: Vampire Academy
Book #2: Frostbite
Book #3: Shadow Kiss
Book #4: Blood Promise
Book #5: Spirit Bound
Book #6: Last Sacrifice
Vampire Academy Synopsis: St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

Alright... Its review time! I finished this series during Christmas break and I am seriously still recovering. I had heard a lot of mixed things about these books (especially surrounding the whole "vampire thing") but I am SO happy that I read them. I absolutely lost myself in this intricate and well woven world and I have been going through withdrawals for the past month. Richelle Mead is easily one of my favourite authors and I will never forget these books. The world building was stunning, the characters were out of this world and the humour had me constantly laughing. This is a book world that I would love to live in. I HIGHLY recommend these books to anyone who enjoys fantasy, romance, and supernatural amazingness... :D

****** SPOILER ALERT DO NOT READ ANY FARTHER IF YOU HAVE NOT READ ALL 6 OF THE BOOKS IN THIS FANTASTICALLY,BRILLIANT SERIES******

Ok... where do I seriously begin? *sigh* One of the main reasons I love these books is because of how unique the Moroi/Dhampir/Stigoi world is. It angers me so much when people say "This book is just like Twilight ...." "All the characters are like Edward and Bella...". Don't get me wrong, Im a fan of the Twilight books but they seriously ruined any chance vampire books have of not being judged or compared. I have no idea how anyone could say anything like that though because in my opinion these books are NOTHING like Twilight.

One main reason are the characters. For me to throughly enjoy a book and fall in love with it, I have to like the main protagonist. Its almost impossible to become fulling invested in a book when you hate the person who's perspective the entire story is told from. This was not the case with Rose Hathaway. I love this chick. Like level 3 girl crush. #jennamarblesreference #longhashtags :) Rose is probably my favourite female character ever. She is totally kick-ass, independent, reliable, brave, beautiful.... the list goes on and on. One my favourite qualities about her is the fact that she takes control and adapts to almost any situation. Always equipped with a witty or sarcastic retort and a stake, she takes matters into her own hands and doesn't let anyone push her around. Rose doesn't need someone to come in and save her from sticky situations. Unless you count getting locked in prison for treason and murder.... ;)

Another character that just kills my heart is... drum roll please.... Dimitri Belikov... yeah cuz that wasn't obvious or anything. <3 This man just melted me. Ok, I admit the whole long hair thing he had going on wasn't exactly my cup of tea but I quickly got over that. His gentle, caring, and romantic side had me falling in love with his and Rose's love every single book. Not to mention the fact that he is a "Guardian god" as Mason would say. Like Rose, he is self sufficient and always ready to protect those he loves. Him and Roza are almost exactly alike which makes them perfect for each other. At the end of Shadow Kissed when Dimitri got turned into Stigoi my world was flipped upside down. I was so shocked and heart broken. I didn't see the purpose in reading anymore. Thank goodness I did because when Lissa turned him back I was seriously the happiest person in the world.

One other character I want to talk about is Adrian Ivashkov. I will talk more about him in the review I will write for Richelle Meads spin off series Bloodlines but for now we can all fangirl for a few sentences. Adrian is so protective, stunningly attractive and HILARIOUS! I love his sarcasm and artistic brilliance. When Rose and Dimitri ended up together in the end I was so ecstatic but at the same time I felt so horrible for Adrian. Thats why I was very thankful for the Bloodlines series because Adrian finally found someone.... Im not saying who though....

The relationships are the other thing that made me fall head over heels for these books. As I was saying before, Rose and Dimitri are perfect for each other and I was rooting for them the entire series. Each part that had the 2 of them in it had me on the edge of my seat and left me with my heart racing. Again as I had mentioned, when Dimitri turned Strigoi I was seriously done. I didn't see it coming at all. He had my blood boiling all throughout Blood Promise when he kidnapped Rose and was drinking from her. I got to the point when I... almost wanted him to die... *gasp* I know, shocking! Then finally in Spirit Bound and he was turned back... it was just a perfectly aimed bullet to my feelings. LOL I was waiting with baited breath for the reunion between Rose and Dimitri but it never came. Mrs. Mead knows exactly what to do to mess with my emotions. Between Rose being stuck in prison for murdering Queen Tatianna (which she didn't do), Dimitri acting like a moody 14 year old girl and all the characters other little problems, I seriously couldn't handle it. I thought all hope was lost in Last Sacrifice. Not to mention the title of that book. Like Mrs. Mead are you trying to make me cry before I even start the book???

This last book had my emotions all over the map which I actually loved. Its a little confusing, I know. The best part in any other books in my opinion was the hotel room near the end of Last Sacrifice when Rose and Dimitri were professing their love for each other and other stuff ;) The tears just wouldn't stop coming but they were tears of joy. My favourite line ever :

"I don’t belong to anyone. I make my own choices."
"And you’re with Adrian," said Dimitri.
"But I was meant for you."
-Rose and Dimitri (Last Sacrifice)

This series is so memorable. If you haven't read it please do so. I felt like I have a lasting relationship with these characters and I feel like I know them so well!

Happy reading nerds and sound off in the comments with your opinion and perspective on these books!

The Mortal Instruments By: Cassandra Clare

11/27/2013

The Mortal Instruments By: Cassandra Clare
Book #1: City Of Bones
Book #2: City Of Ashes
Book #3: City Of Glass
Book #4 City Of Fallen Angels
Book #5: City Of Lost Souls
Book #6: City Of Heavenly Fire (not yet released)
City Of Bones 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.

Alright.... Its review time! I started this series about 2 years ago and since then I have become a HUUUUGGGEEE fan of these books. And when I say I'm a HUUUUGGGEEE fan I mean absolutely crazy, jump up and down screaming, read them all 4 times obsessed! These books are my favourite series ever!! Cassandra clare is such an amazing author, her writing style is so descriptive, her characters are so complex, and her dialogue is laugh out loud hilarious! I can't wait wait for more from Cassie Clare, frankly I would read her grocery list! Her books are so easy to lose yourself in and the story is so unique. These books will stick with me forever! If you have not read these books you haven't lived... I don't know what else to say! They are a total must read!!!!!!!!

****** SPOILER ALERT DO NOT READ ANY FARTHER IF YOU HAVE NEVER READ ALL OF THESE BOOKS******

Cassandra Clare, in my opinion, is probably one of the best authors ever. Her world building is crazy good and her Shadowhunter world is like no other. The idea of a race of people who have magic tattoos and kill demons is really entertaining and there are so many possible stories that could be created and formed from that concept. Also Clare's characters are one of my favourite aspects of her writing. Her characters are so complex and unique. Each person has such a distinct personality and look that it would be impossible to confusing one with another. I feel as if I know and understand each character on a personal level! In addition, her dialogue is just hilarious, especially Jace!:) These books had me LOLing and ROFLing page after page and for days after I had completed them! But not only can Clare writing the funny, light hearted parts but she can write words that are so beautiful that you will be bawling for days. Some of her cliff hangers and romantic scenes.... I may never fully recover from.

Now.... let us talk about some characters.....

Jace Wayland/Morgenstern/Herondale/Lightwood is just the most beautiful guys ever! He is by far my favourite YA male character. His sarcasm and wit is crazy hilarious, even when he says the wrong things at the wrong times:) Also as the books progressed you discovered more and more about him. You discover the reason behind the cocky and arrogant attitude and why he pretends that nothing can bother him. Sometimes that broke my heart. Plus.... he is TOTALLY GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!...... *cough* Any-who.... from the moment Clary and Jace met you could feel the romantic tension between them and if was so obvious they were falling for each other. At the end of City Of Bones when Valentine tells Jace and Clary that they are brother and sister I knew he was lying. It made no sense, but Clary and Jace believed it. It wasn't until the end of City of Glass that they found out that they weren't bro and sis and they realized how much they loved each other. The one chapter at the end of CoG in which Jace professes his love to Clary had me in tears. To hear Jace completely open up to her and tell her how he felt broke my heart, it was the moment I had been waiting for for 3 books!

"There is no pretending,” Jace said with absolute clarity. “I love you, and I will love you until I die and if there’s a life after that, I’ll love you then.”

“I love you, Jace Wayland—Herondale—Lightwood—whatever you want to call yourself. I don’t care. I love you and I will always love you, and pretending it could be any other way is just a waste of time."

Also when Valentine stabs Jace through the heart with that sword.... I cried and cried! Thank god he survived. My life would have been over.

Wow... I could go ON and ON about Jace but let us move on to Clary.

Clary Fray/Fairchild is probably one the strongest and most powerful female YA heroines I have ever read about. You can see her change and become more confident and independant as the story progresses. She makes a huge transition from a timid 16 year old who likes to paint to a powerful young woman who knows how to put up a fight! I would love to steal Jace from her but she would totally kick my butt.... :( Haha! Her and Jace are just adorable together and their playful bickering is something that I will always find amusing! Simon and Clarys relationship is amazing and so sweet, I wish I had a best friend like Simon!

The last character I will talk about in-depth is Simon Lewis, Clary's best friend. In the first 2 books Simon bothered me only because he was getting in the way of Clace :) Once Simon got together with Izzy and Clace become a real thing I started to warm up to him a bit and now he is actually one of my favourite characters. After rereading TMI a couple times over, I gained more respect for Simon as a character and I realized what a vital role he plays in the story and how funny and amazing he really is. The whole nerd thing is really attractive!:) Im actually really envious of Isabelle... and just like Clary she would also beat me down if I went after Simon... *sniff*

These books are magnificent! The romance and relationships are so captivating and beautiful. FAVOURITE BOOKS EVER!!!!! I CAN NOT wait for the 6th and final instalment of this series, City Of Heavenly Fire. This novel is set to release May 27th 2014! :( Why haven't time machines been created yet????? :'(

Happy reading nerds and sound off in the comment section below with your opinion and perspective on these books!

The Fault In Our Stars By:John Green

11/25/2013

The Fault In Our Stars By: John Green
Synopsis: Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Alright.... Its review time! I actually read this book at the end of July and since then have reread it multiple times. It one of my absolute favourite books so I believe it is necessary that I write a review. If you have not read this book I legitimately have no idea what you are doing with your life! The following contains SPOILERS so if you have no read TFioS yet go read it and then we can cry together!

****** SPOILERS DO NOT READ ANY FARTHER IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THIS AMAZING SPECIMEN OF A NOVEL******

This book.... is one of those rare books that changes your perspective on life and death. John Green is a phenomenal author.
Hazel Grace is a 16 year old girl with terminal cancer who attends Cancer Kid Support Group. As depressing as her life was Hazel finds comfort in books and Americas Next Top Model. :) And then Augustus Waters comes into the picture. Hazel was drawn to Augustus' humour, wit and his perspective on life and so was I. Struggling with past cancer repercussions as well, Gus and Hazel begin to fall in love.

Augustus was a true gentlemen. When he read An Imperial Affliction and he began texting Hazel about it, I remember giggling and smiling constantly because I knew where the story was going. Watching them fall in love was the sweetest thing ever and when Gus offered to use his wish to take Hazel to visit Peter Van Houten in Holland I was so happy for them. Their visit with Mr. Van Houten wasn't exactly ideal but their journey and time together was beautiful. Definitely one of my favourite YA couples. Sadly, while their trip progressed you could pick up on little things Gus would say and do that hinted that he was in pain and uncomfortable. Thats when he told Hazel his cancer had come back.

Every time I read the line:

"I lit up like a Christmas tree, Hazel Grace"

I burst into tears. I imagined something like one of their deaths was going to happen but actually reading it caused me to lose it. I cried throughout the rest of the book.

Reading about Gus' slow death was heart breaking and something I highly doubt I will ever fully recover from. The part when Gus tries to go to the gas station to get cigarettes totally broke my heart. Throughout the book you become familiar with the confident and almost "untouchable" Augustus but at that particular part you begin to see his beliefs and will to live break and crumble.
The most amazing part of the entire book in my opinion was Gus' eulogy. Isaac's and Hazel's speech had me laughing and crying. This quote is probably my favourite from the entire book:

"My name is Hazel. Augustus Waters was the great sat-crossed love of my life. Ours was an epic love story, and I won't be able to get more than a sentence into it without disappearing into a puddle of tears. Gus knew. Gus knows. I will not tell you our love story, because-like all real love stories-it will die with us, as it should. I'd hoped that he'd be eulogizing me, because there's no one I'd rather have..." I started crying. "Okay, how not to cry. How am I-okay. Okay."

I took a few deep breaths and went back to the page. "I can't talk about our love story, so I will talk about math. I am not a mathematician, but I know this: There are infinite numbers between 0 and 1. There's .1 and .12 and .112 and infinite collection of others. Of course, there is a Bigger infinite set of numbers between 0 and 2, or between 0 and a million. Some infinities are bigger than other infinities. A writer we used to like taught us that. There are days, many of them, when I resent the size of my unbounded set. I want more numbers than I'm likely to get, and God, I want more numbers for Augustus Waters than he got. But, Gus, my love, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn't trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I'm grateful."

Even writing this review caused a huge cloud of sadness to descend upon me so I am off to eat chocolate and watch some Dancing With The Stars!:)
If you have not read this book I HIGHLY recommend it!

Happy Reading nerds and sound off in the comments with your perceptive and opinion on this book!!!