Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Tessa Gray is trying to find her brother. She crosses the ocean to England where he says he will be waiting for her. But instead of Nate, she is greeted by the Dark Sisters, two members of the mysterious Pandemonium Club. Tessa is kidnapped by the sisters and through this finds out that she is a Downworlder with a unique ability; an ability so powerful that the Magister, head of the Pandemonium Club, wants to claim it for himself.

After suffering under the harsh treatments of the Dark Sisters Tessa is rescued by the Shadowhunters of the London Institute who swear to help her find her brother. But Tessa finds herself torn between an internal battle of wanting to be normal once again and her developing feelings for a young Shadowhunter.

As Tessa and the Shadowhunters begin to piece together the mystery of her brother, they realize that everything is not as it initially seemed. Tessa is forced to make a choice that will either destroy what is left of her past life or end the beginning of a new life as a Downworlder with her family of Shadowhunters.

I have mixed feelings about this novel. I understand that it is a prequel to Cassandra Clare’s beloved Mortal Instruments trilogy but I found that the skeleton of the plot was all too similar to the first trilogy. There is a girl who everyone calls by a nickname and she is thrown into the world of the Shadowhunters where she meets a boy or two who play her heartstrings like a violin. Does this sound familiar to anyone? The plot is almost identical to the Mortal Instruments; all that has changed are the details. I am a fan of Cassandra Clare’s writing and was hoping that she would have left the story of the Shadowhunters with the Mortal Instruments series and written an entirely new set of books. But according to her website she doesn’t have any more writing ideas, since she will have a total of six books in the Mortal Instruments series and three in the Infernal Devices series. Apparently there is also going to be a movie that relates to the current Mortal Instruments books.

With all that said I still think this was a good book, even though as I was reading it I had flashes of déjà vu. The story was well thought out and all the parts connected at the end. All together a pretty good read. There is a cliff-hanger at the end but I think it is mostly there to keep you waiting for the sequel to the prequel.

~Clarissa

This is Clarissa's last review with us! It's been a pleasure reading her reviews and we're definitely going to miss her! :(

Review: Torment by Lauren Kate

Torment by Lauren Kate

                Luce has finally found the love her life. But Luce and her angelic boyfriend Daniel must stay separated just a little while longer. To keep Luce safe she is sent to Shoreline, a school for Nephilim and some human students.  Here Luce begins to unlock the secrets of the Shadows. But the more Luce learns the more she is beginning to lose trust in Daniel. Luce is scared that the secrets Daniel keeps from her may affect their relationship. She’s no longer sure if what Daniel says about her past is true and she begins to question whether Daniel is really the only one meant for her.

                I would first like to point out that this is the second novel in the Fallen series and to fully understand it you should read the first book, Fallen before Torment. I though this book was only satisfactory. I think that the author is dragging out the mystery behind Luce and Daniels past relationships a little too much. As a reader I am ready for more clarification. With that said I continue to read because I absolutely have to know what is going on! The plot is pretty unique so while reading you want to find out how the series will end but you want to know faster, I guess we can’t have everything. My main issue with the book is Luce. She is a pretty weak character. Instead of standing up for herself and demanding from Daniel to know what is going on she weakly asks him a few times and then accepts when he won’t tell her. She is easily distracted and one small comment from another character will make Luce over react. I am just hoping that Luce will stop taking matters into her own hands for one minute and actually try to talk to Daniel. Even with all that said I did enjoy the novel and will definitely be reading the next book.

~Clarissa

Teen Review: Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Now that Nora and her guardian angel Patch are dating things seem to be looking up. But when Patch begins to act distant and spends a lot of time with Nora’s school rival, she begins to question their feelings for each other. And then there is Scott Parnell, an old friend of the family who suddenly enters Nora’s life. She finds herself attracted to him despite a dark secret he seems to be hiding. Strange events lead to Nora reliving the memory of her brutally murdered father. She begins to believe that his killer is still out there and that somehow her Nephilim bloodline relates to his death. Even without Patch to help her she is determined to solve the mystery of her father’s death, but what she doesn’t know is that the answer may destroy her entire life.

I would first like to point out that this novel is the sequel to Hush, Hush and anyone that wants to thoroughly enjoy it must read the first one. I was really impressed with Hush, Hush, even though a lot of people weren’t and I enjoyed this book with the same amount of gusto.

This novel was very suspenseful; it will definitely be keeping you turning the pages. I love a good love story and this was just the fix I needed at the time of reading. I do find Becca Fitzpatrick’s writing confusing sometimes; I generally have to reread the “action” scenes because I tend to get lost. But she makes up for it in her way of bringing reality to the story and the ending was just divine.

What some people may not like is that the genre of the story if becoming a little over used and I think that is what turned some people away from Hush, Hush. This story is another forbidden love story. I know everyone has been reading a lot of those lately, Twilight anyone? This series may not be the new world wide bestseller or a classic to be read by those a hundred years down the road but for those of us in the present I recommend that you at least give this series a try.

-Clarissa

Teen Review - Scorch Trials by James Dashner

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Thomas, Teresa and the Gladers were completely shocked when they discovered that the maze was only the beginning of their perilous journey. The group is thrown into a scorching desert inhabited by cannibalistic Cranks and violent storms, with nothing but a deadline of two weeks to reach a promised safe haven.

While their newest task of crossing a menacing desert seems simple, the Gladers begin to piece together the disturbing truth of WICKED and their purpose within the trials. An overwhelming story of twists and turns, The Scorch Trials brings excitement to the Maze trilogy to a whole new level.
I have to say I had mixed feeling about whether or not I was going to even read this novel since I didn’t like The Maze Runner a whole lot. But after reading The Scorch Trials, I am so happy I continued to read this story. The Scorch Trials were 100% better than The Maze Runner.

If you are like me, you are still completely confused as to what the trials and WICKED are, but there is so much action and drama happening in the book that your confusion subsides and you become completely lost in the story.

I am disappointed to say that the book once again ends with a cliff hanger the size of Mount Everest. But the good news is that James Dashner seems to write his books relatively quickly so we should be blessed by the third (and final) novel within a year or so. I think this series is improving with each book. Hunger Games fans should watch out, in my opinion The Maze Runner trilogy will blow the Hunger Games away.

- Clarissa

Teen Review - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

I am thrilled to announce our debut teen review column! Six teens will be writing reviews each week, to be posted on Thursday. The reviews will be tagged with the author so if you find that you enjoy things they read, check out the other things they've reviewed. This week brings us the biggest book of the summer - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.

Mockingjay is the final novel in the Hunger Games Series.

Katniss Everdeen has been rescued by the rebels and taken to District 13, which was formerly known to be non-existent. At District 13 Katniss discovers many secrets that she wasn’t meant to hear and the overall plan of the rebels is slowly revealed. She learns that she is meant to be the face of the revolution, yet again a pawn in a political battle which is the true game behind it all. Katniss is worried about the safety of her loved ones and friends, all the while struggling with her own sanity. She needs to figure out how to please the rebels while protecting all those she cares for while, in turn, answering the ultimate question that constantly hammers through her mind, “what should I do?”

I was rather disheartened with the conclusion of the Hunger Games series. But I guess I should have predicted that since as I continued to read the series I became more unimpressed with each book. I was absolutely captivated and mesmerized with the first book, intrigued and shocked by the second and bored to tears and unsatisfied by the third. I felt that the plot became repetitive. While reading the third book I discovered nothing new. There were no new ideas, new feelings or new unrevealed facts. I only found two parts of the novel to be remotely interesting, Peeta’s health and the execution that Katniss preformed. Overall I had high hopes for this novel and felt that I was let down, but you may not feel the same way.

- Clarissa