City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

     I finally have a new book to post about! I just finished reading City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare. It's the fifth book in the Mortal Instruments series which follows a group of demon fighting, angel blooded, overall BA people called Shadowhunters along with several of their downworlder friends (downworlders being vampire, faeries, werewolves, etc.) Seriously, if you haven't read the first few, do not read on. City of Lost Souls picks up where the last one left off; Jace and Sebastian are both missing without a trace. Soon, Clary begins to learn more about the odd bond that has been formed between them. I don't want to say much more than that really.

     I have to say, I've been waiting for this book for what seems like an eternity. The minute I finished City of Fallen Angels I was ready for this one to come out. I think, as a fifteen year old reader, that it was fairly well written. There were some fairly predictable parts but there were definitely a good share of total shockers that jumped out and smacked you in the face. I was nearly in tears at one point. I felt mixed emotions for Sebastian the more you get to know him. I got really involved in the story.

     Before I go on I should say that reading this was somewhat of an experiment for me. I got a Nook for Christmas and I've gotten a few books on it but none that I've wanted to read as terribly as I wanted to read this one. So it could be that because I didn't have a book in my hands to gauge where I was in the story I felt like it dragged. I'm a finicky reader, I'll admit. I like to be able to flip back to a part quickly while holding my spot on the page to reread something I didn't quite catch. Reading on the Nook, while much more convenient when it comes to getting new books, has several downsides when it comes to the way I prefer to read. Maybe that was it or perhaps it really did get bogged down in the middle. Either way, I felt like the end made up for it. I'd give City of Lost Souls 3.5/5 stars.

No Book Today

     I wish I had more to post on here but, what with finals and all right now, I don't have much time to read. Besides, I don't even have anything to read right now! Sad, right? I pre-ordered the next in the Mortal Instruments series coming out this Tuesday so I'll probably have something to blog soon. Screw finals and that AP Exam I'm taking! I've got a book to read. B)

The Night Circus

     For my first post on here I thought I'd talk about The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Taking place in the late 1800's to early 1900's, the main characters Celia and Marco are pitted against each other in a competition they hardly know about. Both are well trained "illusionists" that must use their talents within the circus to try to get ahead in the competition. However, growing feelings between the two threaten to throw off the course of the competition.
     This book was really fantastic! This is one of those books I would love to slip into for a while. The imagery was incredible. I could smell the smells of the circus, see the tents and the performers within them, imagine the patrons milling about in wonder. Each chapter changes between characters both within and outside of the circus at any time from about 1890 to 1903. This was really well done, it keeps you interested but doesn't give too much away about the story too fast. You don't actually figure out what exactly is going on until you finish the book.
     On the subject of the chapters, it does make it confusing with the abrupt year changes. You really do have to check the chapter title to see what year you're in or else you'll be terribly confused. The romantic relationship that springs up between the main characters seem a little unrealistic at first. It might have been that I was too anxious to find out what happens that I skipped over something but it felt to me like a Romeo and Juliet kind of relationship. Marco sees Celia, thinks she's amazing, talks to her once, and suddenly he's in love.
     I would recommend this to someone that doesn't mind a long book. It only took me three or four days to read but I'm a hard core reader. It's a story you have to think about and will find yourself thinking about weeks afterwards. Inception effect anyone? A grasp on the French language wouldn't hurt while reading this but not necessary. That was probably mostly for me considering I'm still in the get excited when I can understand something in French phase. Don't be afraid to google! There are parts where they read tarot cards and unless you know about reading tarot, you might be lost for a while. I'm still not quite sure about what it meant but you get the general gist after a while. I'd give this book a four and a half out of five.