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AbielleRose

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Posts posted by AbielleRose

    Abby's Reading Log (started 2009)

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    Thanks Paula :) I can't wait to hear what you think about the Mortal Instruments series and Clockwork Angel. Hope you enjoy them! I've decided to read Fallen by Lauren Kate next as I borrowed it from work and want to get it back to them instead of letting it sit around any longer. No need for a library anymore, we can borrow anything we want at work :D

     

    The Hunger Games looks so good, I can't wait to get into it. Have you read Mockingjay yet?

    Abby's Reading Log (started 2009)

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted · Edited by CaliLily

    Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

     

    Synopsis:

    Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

     

    When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

     

    Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own. Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

     

    Review:

     

    The Steampunk style mixed with what is quickly becoming one of my favorite worlds to visit and revisit made Clockwork Angel an very enjoyable read. Clare has a fantastic gift of being able to bounce between her character's viewpoints so that the reader doesn't actually notice when perspectives are changed. It all comes together so that you are effortless reading a well rounded story full of everything I love about both the YA and Fantasy genres.

     

    Will is written a bit like her other main male character from the Mortal Instruments series- heavily guarded and cocky- where as Jem (James) is the complete opposite of him, sensitive and observant. (Needless to say, I'm definitely on Team Jem!) Tessa is a very strong female lead who is easy to love and connect with, even if what she is experiencing in life is a whole world away. Its so hard to remember that just 140 short years ago our world was so different and new, that a trip from New York to London was done via ship and once the ocean was crossed the London in this book is merely a shadow of what it is today. Clare used the London that stood back in 1878 and did some amazing research in order to make it as authentic as possible while still fitting it into a believable fantasy world.

     

    I would suggest that if you haven't read any of Clare's work before that you read the Mortal Instruments Series first as Clockwork Angel, the first in the Infernal Devices Series, is actually a prequel. The Mortal Instruments explains more on how the world of the Shadowhunters works where as Clockwork Angel reads as if the author expects you to already know about the world of the Nephilim.

     

    I would rate Clockwork Angel a 4.5/5 If you like YA fantasy then definitely look into reading some of Clare's work, she's quickly becoming one of the genre's most well rounded rising stars.

    Controversial Topics in YA Literature

    in General Book Discussions

    Posted · Edited by CaliLily

    Yesterday I had a customer come through my line with a YA book called Before I Die by Jenny Downham. She and a bunch of the other parents here in Fargo are trying to get the book banned from schools because it is about a 16 year old girl who is dying and her main goal before she dies is to have sex. After reading many reviews today on the book trying to a few more opinions about it, I've discovered that its is actually highly recommended and almost every review I've read offers high praise for not only the story but also for the author's brilliant writing. Next week I plan on buying it so that I can read for myself, but I was curious about how all of you would feel about a book like this being avaliable in your children's school library. Below is the synopsis if you'd like to read.

     

    Before I Die Synopsis

    Your Book Activity Today ~ Thread 13

    in General Book Discussions

    Posted · Edited by CaliLily

    ... am now starting Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Longstocking.

     

    The Gilmores would be proud! :D

     

    I recieved Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens in the mail today (Thank you!!!) via the relaunch contest and can't wait to read it! :D

     

    After work I picked up a few books for my holiday this weekend:

     

    Doctor Who: Autonomy by Daniel Blythe

    Doctor Who: The Glamour Chase by Gary Russell

    The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir

    The Heretic Queen: Heiress of Misfortune, Pharoh's Beloved by Michelle Moran

    The History of Witchcraft and Demonology by Montague Summers

     

    Lets see if I can get through them all in 3 days! (Goal is to read 3 of them, guess we'll see giggle.gif )

    Glee

    in Music / TV / Films

    Posted

    Season 2 of Glee has started here and so far it's even better than Season 1! I'm just now watching the Britney Spears episode and the music in it is amazing. Its the first time we've really gotten to hear the character Britney sing and she, imo, is just as good as Rachel and Mercedes.

    Your Book Activity Today ~ Thread 13

    in General Book Discussions

    Posted

    Yay! :D

     

    I'm annotating my copy of that (or at least I was, I've temporarily mislaid it somewhere in the house!) in preparation for reading it soon. I haven't seen the Leo DiCaprio (sp?) film version yet, which I've had on DVD for two years, so I must get on with it so I can read it, when I relocate it!

     

    Its Leo DiCaprio and Clare Danes, right? I haven't seen that movie version either and (sadly) It's been years since I've read any of Romeo and Juliet, and even then I only read snippets, never the whole thing cover to cover. :) The movie Letters to Juliet piqued my interest in it again (you MUST see it!!!)

     

    I picked up a couple more books today at work (lol, gotta love it :D) 2 advanced readers that I'm actually going to be putting up as a giveaway on my blog later tonight. I'm hoping to finally finish Clockwork Angel tonight!

    Your Book Activity Today ~ Thread 13

    in General Book Discussions

    Posted · Edited by CaliLily

    Yesterday my boss handed me a 1/3 inch thick packet of the new release books coming out over the next few months *facepalm* I've already highlighted which ones I'm getting right away. Yesterday's new release was the latest Richard Castle book and I'm plotting to bring it home with me today. I also got a couple more advanced readers copies free and bought 3 books (they were buy two get one free PLUS my 30% employee discount!) I got:

     

    Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

    The Collective Works of Emily DIckinson

    Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

     

    :)

    Looking for a book about young adult travelling experience

    in Book Search and Reading Recommendations

    Posted · Edited by CaliLily

    There is a short 2 book series by Lurlene McDaniel, Journey of Hope (books individually are called Angel of Mercy and Angel of Hope), that are about two sister's who travel to Africa (each book is a different sister's tale) on a mission trip to work in a hospital. Because they are on a mission trip there are religious themes, but even if you're not religious the stories are excellent.

     

    Synopsis for Angel of Mercy

     

    Welcome to the forum :) I hope you find some good suggestions for what you're looking for.

    Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

    in Children's / Young Adult

    Posted

    I bought Clockwork Angel a couple of weeks ago, but had no idea it was a prequel to another series! I just knew it was book one and thought I was good to go.

     

    The series' can be read independently, but I'd recommend you read both because the Mortal Instruments gives much more detail about the world of the Shadowhunters. :) I hope you still read it and enjoy it!

    Abby's Reading Log (started 2009)

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted · Edited by CaliLily

    *Sigh* last night I caved and bought 4 books and a new booklight at work.

     

    The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

    Houses of Horror by Hans Holzer

    Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich

    Halloween Horrors by Dean Koontz, Ray Bradbury and Peter Straub

     

    I also got 6 free books a few days ago. Since they're all of the smutty romance nature I'll save the titles, lol. I don't normally read anything like that but these were free so...

     

    After Clockwork Angel I think I'll start Wicked Appetite. It just came out this week and is supposed to be really good. :D

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