City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #3) by Cassandra Clare

City of Glass - 4 Stars

Synopsis

To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunter's - 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 Shadowhunter's, 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 Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunter's forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunter's put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the third instalment of the New York Times bestselling series The Mortal Instruments. 

Review

This was enjoyable and fast paced. I loved that we had a chance to go to the Shadowhunter home world. This was defiantly was the most enjoyable of the series, so far. The romance between Alec and Magnus is everything and by far the most enjoyable ship, I've read in awhile. 

Fairyloot Unboxing - January 2019 - Unbreakable Bonds

Unboxing of Fairyloot January 2019 - Unbreakable Bonds

This is my 1st Fairyloot box and I am impressed. I love and adore the wooden bookmark and the candle smells lush. Cannot wait to get stuck into the Circle of Shadows by Evelyn Skye.

The Rancher's Unexpected Baby (Brothers of Cooper Ranch #2) by Leslie North

The Rancher's Unexpected Baby - 5 Stars

Synopsis

To Maxwell Cooper’s great pleasure, his horses of quality Quarab stock have been well received by American buyers. His goal of selling to the Arab royal family would give his breeding business international credibility and prove that he wasn’t the bad apple everyone had assumed. After missing his opportunity at auction two years in a row, he’s been invited to back to back VIP sales and word on the street is that the royal family is going to be in attendance. And nothing will stop him from keeping his eye on the prize this time.

Lena Fudge had been traveling the circuit as a newbie horse trader, but found herself fired after she passed along a hot tip while having hot sex with Maxwell Cooper. Now disgraced, she finds herself back in her family’s home in the middle of nowhere horse country. Learning she’s pregnant adds insult to injury, and despite her best efforts she’s fulfilling her family’s curse of living at home. She knows she has to tell Maxwell about the baby, but she refuses to ask for his help till she has her ducks in a row. That is until she runs into Maxwell at the auction stables after being rejected from a last ditch attempt to get her old job back.

Maxwell has been dreaming of Lena since their night of passion four months ago. One look at her, and being pretty sure he was the one to pop her cherry, he realizes he’s the father. But Maxwell knows Lena’s pride would not allow him to take care of her, so he asks her to work with him as a horse trader. It’s not charity. As it turns out, Lena is the full package. She’s a dream in the stables, amazing with buyers, and not adverse to a roll in the hay. But when things begin to go deeper than just a sale or sex, they’ll find them find themselves racing toward a bidding war that will either have them living a life of love or losing it all.

Review

This was by far my favourite in series so far. I loved the tale of Maxwell and Lena. The relationship was sweet and beautiful. I think the complemented each other very well. Once again the writing style is well done and engaging.

The Cowboy’s Forgetful Bride (Brothers of Cooper Ranch Book 1) by Leslie North

The Cowboy’s Forgetful Bride - 4.5 Stars

Synopsis

Bella Whitmore is the heir to the Whitmore Shipping fortune. Refusing to be pigeon-holed into the socialite box, Bella has worked her entire life to show her father that she can be the son he never had and take over the Whitmore Shipping Empire. So when she wakes up, on a ranch in Montana, missing the memories of the last month of her life, you’d think that would be the worst case scenario. And it is…until she realizes the devil she’d worked so hard to avoid for the last year is now her husband.

Sawyer Cooper knows he’s a devil. Handsome, charismatic, and with an eye for feeding people’s vices, Sawyer’s reinvented himself as a shark in the business world, but very few realize that he’s actually a Cooper of the Country Coop fortune. But rather than resting on the laurels (and red-neck reputation) of Country Coop, Sawyer wants to show the world exactly how important farming can be. To do this, he needs Bella Whitmore’s help. Every bit as beautiful as her name suggests, and smarter than everyone else in the room, Sawyer knows that she could make his dreams come true, both inside and outside of the bedroom. And after a year of pursuing her, she’s finally said yes -- to everything.

But after a horseback riding accident, Bella’s brain has reset back to the beginning, and Sawyer was never good at starting a game over. Especially not after he’d already won. Now, Sawyer needs to figure out how to woo her for a second time. Because this time around it’s not just his professional pride on the line: it’s his heart.

Review

This was an adorable story that hooked me from start to finish. I love the authors writing style. If you love a good cowboy love story give this one a try.

2019 Cassandra Clare Reading Goals

Reading Cassandra (Cassie) Clare's books for the 1st time 

This is my 1st time reading Cassandra Clare's books. I've owned them for years but never picked them up. Now I have started and enjoying my journey so far. So far I have completed City of Bones & City of Ashes. As I am a Cassie Clare book novice, I did some research and everyone has suggested that I read the books in publication order. So that's what I am planning on doing. Below is a picture that I got from Google Images. Wish me luck here I continue on with my journey reading these books in 2019.

City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2) by Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2) - 3.5 Stars

Synopsis

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

Review

This was okay, but not as good as book one. But I am still going to carry on with the series. I hear that it gets better over time and would like to get to the other two series after this one.

The Iron Trial (Magisterium #1) by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare

The Iron Trial (Magisterium #1) - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial.

Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail.

All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him.

So he tries his best to do his worst – and fails at failing.

Now the Magisterium awaits him. It’s a place that’s both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future.

The Iron Trial is just the beginning, for the biggest test is still to come . . .

Review

This surprised me and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I read this via Audiobook and would highly recommend to give it ago. I put off reading this for awhile as people were comparing this to Harry Potter. But apart from the magic and the chosen three this did not remind me of Harry Potter at all. I like the writing of this book and will continue on with the series. I loved the dynamics of the three roommates. I also liked the twist that came at the end.

Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott, Mikki Daughtry (Contributor), Tobias Iaconis (Contributor)

Five Feet Apart - 3 Stars

Synopsis

Soon to be a major motion picture in March 2019!

In this moving story that’s perfect for fans of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, two teens fall in love with just one minor complication—they can’t get within five feet of each other without risking their lives.

Can you love someone you can never touch?

Stella Grant likes to be in control—even though her totally out of control lungs have sent her in and out of the hospital most of her life. At this point, what Stella needs to control most is keeping herself away from anyone or anything that might pass along an infection and jeopardize the possibility of a lung transplant. Six feet apart. No exceptions.

The only thing Will Newman wants to be in control of is getting out of this hospital. He couldn’t care less about his treatments, or a fancy new clinical drug trial. Soon, he’ll turn eighteen and then he’ll be able to unplug all these machines and actually go see the world, not just its hospitals.

Will’s exactly what Stella needs to stay away from. If he so much as breathes on Stella she could lose her spot on the transplant list. Either one of them could die. The only way to stay alive is to stay apart. But suddenly six feet doesn’t feel like safety. It feels like punishment.

What if they could steal back just a little bit of the space their broken lungs have stolen from them? Would five feet apart really be so dangerous if it stops their hearts from breaking too? 

Review

I received with thanks an ARC copy of Five Feet Apart from Simon & Schuster UK Children’s and Netgalley.

This is my true and honest review of Five Feet Apart by Rachel Lippincott. This was published on 10th January 2019.

This is the novelisation of the movie by the same name and this does read like a typical teenage romance movie. I read this book quickly and it was okay. I would have liked more and the insta-love was a little fast and felt rushed. All the characters are interesting, but once again I would have liked more. Also not a fan of the ending. But if you are looking for a quick contemporary read then give this ago.

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones - 4 Stars

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.

Review

Well I have finally done it, I have completed a Cassandra Clare novel and I was not disappointed. I have been putting these of for years due to the hype. But I got the book from my local library and glad that I did. I enjoyed the tale of Clary and her fellow Shadowhunter's. I will carrying on with the series.

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Sense and Sensibility - 5 Stars

Synopsis

‘I wish as well as every body else to be perfectly happy; but like every body else it must be in my own way.’


When the Dashwood family are forced into more modest circumstances, sisters Marianne and Elinor also find themselves suddenly entangled in matters of the heart. Passionate and spirited, young Marianne falls for the charming but unreliable Mr Willoughby. Elinor, by contrast rational and sensible, forms a close bond with Edward Ferrars, but must cope stoically with the news that he is promised to another. Only through their shared experiences of love and loss do both sisters learn that the key to happiness comes from finding the perfect mixture of rationality and feeling.

Sense and Sensibility was Jane Austen’s first published work when it appeared in 1811. It has become one of her best-loved novels and has been the subject of several adaptations for film and television.

Review

I have loved this book for years and was glad to re-read this via audiobook. I would highly recommend the audiobook by audible studios and read by the amazing Rosamund Pike.

Bitten by the King (Virgin Blood #4) by Alexa Riley

Bitten by the King (Virgin Blood #4) - 3 Stars

Synopsis

Loren River doesn’t understand why her father ever adopted her. All he does is keep her locked up and hidden away from what he calls his “business.” She’s spent most of her life alone and she’s desperate to make friends and have a family of her own. What’s so wrong with wanting to fall in love and become a mom? But life has its own plans for her when she gets caught between her father and a man so dark and deadly she can’t look away. Could the feelings she’s having be more than just fear? Could they possibly be desire, too?

Bishop Thorin is worried about the threat to his territory in the city. There’s a rogue vampire on the loose and it’s trying to tear apart all that he’s built. He’s got the weight of the world resting on his shoulders and he needs to fix this. But when a young redhead steps in his way, all that he thought was lost is right in front of him. Can he take away her prison just to give her another?

Review

This was another smutty novel by the addictive duo that Alexa Riley. Would recommend if you are looking for some smutty fun.

Stepbrother, Mine (Stepbrother, Mine #1-3) by Opal Carew

Stepbrother, Mine (Stepbrother, Mine #1-3) - 3 Stars

Synopsis

How far will she go to get the life she's always wanted?

Dana's always had a clear vision of how her life would go and how she'd get there, but when her father dies during her final year of college, her whole world threatens to topple down. In desperate need of money, she takes a drastic step. She decides to auction off her virginity.

Mason is used to getting what he wants. The head of his own corporate empire, he has wealth, means, and no shortage of beautiful women ready to fulfill his every need. But despite having it all, Mason is bored. Until he comes face-to-face with a woman from his past. Unable to let Dana slip away again, Mason bids on the one thing he's always wanted, even if it is completely forbidden. He's fantasied about having her to himself for years, touching her smooth skin, tasting her sweet lips, but Dana is off-limits, or is she? What started out as a way for each of them to get what they've always wanted is about to turn into so much more… 

Review

This was an fun smutty novel. I liked the writing style and will defiantly will try more by the author.

Manga Classics: The Count of Monte Cristo (Manga Classics) by Stacy King (Goodreads Author) (Story Adaptation), Nokman Poon (Art by), Crystal S. Chan (Story Adaptation), Alexandre Dumas

Manga Classics: The Count of Monte Cristo - 4 Stars

Synopsis

A Conspiracy and a miscarriage of justice turn the gentle Edmond Dantès into an implacable agent of fate: The Count of Monte Cristo . Obsessed by vengeance and empowered by providence, the Count avenges himself on whose who have wronged him - but is this justice, or is this hubris? In the end, does even the Count know?

Alexandre Dumas' skillful narrative combines intrigue, betrayal, and triumphant revenge into a powerful conflict between good and evil. Now this exciting saga, rich and diverse, takes on an entirely new life in this Manga Classics adaptation! 

Review

Another classic adapted for a more modern audience. I love the tale of the Count of Monte Cristo. It's a classic tale of despair and getting your desired revenge. The original book for this is huge, so it is understandable why the Manga Classics team had to tweak the tale. But I do not think, that any the of the main story, plot and twists had been forgotten. Once again would really recommend to all, who wish to read a classic but with modern and different take.

Manga Classics: Romeo and Juliet (Manga Classics) by Stacy King (Goodreads Author), Crystal S. Chan (Adaptation), Julien Choy (Art), William Shakespeare (From the original play by), Akanovas (Lettering), Jeannie Lee (Lettering)

Manga Classics: Romeo and Juliet - 4 Stars

Synopsis

A classic Shakespearean tragedy, Romeo and Juliet is the tale of two star-crossed young lovers who dare to defy their feuding families, put aside all obstacles, and find happiness together - but at a tremendous cost. This grimly beautiful tale, set in the Renaissance Italy, follows Romeo and Juliet from their hateful first meeting to their last.

Manga Classics ™ brings you this incredible new manga version of William Shakespeare's most popular play, featuring the unaltered original text in its entirety!

Review

These are an enjoyable series. I love the adaptation of the classic Romeo and Juliet tale. I think if Shakespeare was around today he would appreciate this faithful adaptation of his classic tale of two lovers in fair Verona. Really do recommend this series.

Manga Classics: Jane Eyre (Manga Classics) by Stacy King (Goodreads Author) (English script), SunNeko Lee (Art by), Crystal S. Chan (Story adaptation), Charlotte Brontë

Manga Classics: Jane Eyre - 5 Stars

Synopsis

As an orphaned child, Jane Eyre is first cruelly abused by her aunt, then cast out and sent to a charity school. Though she meets with further abuse, she receives an education, and eventually takes a job as a governess at the estate of Edward Rochester. Jane and Rochester begin to bond, but his dark moods trouble her. When Jane uncovers the terrible secret Rochester has been hiding, she flees and finds temporary refuge at the home of St. John Rivers.

Review

Wow, this was the best of the Manga classics so far. I adore of the story of Jane Eyre and her love for Mr Rochester. Once again the writing style was amazing and loyal to the original novel. The art style was gorgeous. I highly recommend this manga if you love Jane Eyre and classics. This series of books keeps getting better and better.

Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter (Manga Classics) by Stacy King (Goodreads Author) (Story Adaptation), SunNeko Lee (Illustrator), Crystal S. Chan (Story Adaptation), Nathaniel Hawthorne (Original Story), W.T. Francis (Lettering)

Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter - 4 Stars

Synopsis

A powerful tale of forbidden love, shame, and revenge comes to life in Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter. Faithfully adapted by Crystal Chan from the original novel, this new edition features stunning artwork by SunNeko Lee (Manga Classics: Les Miserables) which will give old and new readers alike a fresh insight into the Nathaniel Hawthorne's tragic saga of Puritan America. Manga Classics editions feature classic stories, faithfully adapted and illustrated in manga style, and available in both hardcover and softcover editions. Proudly presented by UDON Entertainment and Morpheus Publishing. 

Review

I forgotten how sad this tale truly was. I feel sorry for the life that Hesta and her daughter must live. Once again I loved manga classics take on this tale. The artwork is beautiful and the writing is first-class. If you love classics and want to try out manga I highly recommend this book and series.

Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility (Manga Classics) by Stacy King (Goodreads Author) (Story Adaptation), Po Tse (Art by), Jane Austen (Original Story)

Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility - 4.5 Stars

Synopsis

Impulsive Marianne Dashwood and cautious Elinor are as different as two sisters could be, yet both are shattered by their father's sudden Death. Elinor's attachment to the reserved Edward Ferrars is torn asunder by family opposition and his own dark secret, while Marianne's brilliant romance with the dashing John Willoughby comes to a tumultuous end in a devastating public betrayal. Can the two sisters overcome these trials to find true, lasting happiness?

Jane Austen's beloved first novel, filled with romance, redemption and social critique, is brought to life for a modern audience in this gorgeous manga-style adaptation!

Review

What can I say but wow. I was blown away of how well, this manga was. I have read manga before but this was something incredibly special. I love Jane Austen and her stories have been favourites since my childhood. I loved the idea of turning a beloved classic into a style fit for a new modern audience. The author has managed to add all the details and fundamentals of the story without losing any of the charm or story. The art style is beautiful and well done. I highly recommend this to anyone. I will defiantly be picking up more manga from the Manga classics team.

Simply the Quest (Who Let the Gods Out? #2) by Maz Evans

Simply the Quest - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Elliot and Virgo’s troubles are far from over: death-daemon
Thanatos and his scary mum are at large and determined to
destroy the world. As even more immortal allies and enemies
emerge, Virgo and Elliot must learn how to be heroes … 

Review

These are so cute, funny and occasionally sad but poignant books.

2019 Begins

Happy New Year Everyone

Welcome to 2019 and good luck with your reading this year.