Clockwork Princess: A Rant

Okay, so this isn't a review, but a rant by me, about a book that I cannot wait to be published next month. It's the Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare and is the last book of the trilogy, the Infernal Devices. It is one of my favorites, and I cannot wait. Not only is it a rich and fascinating take on the world Clare has created, it will solve the most epic love triangle ever, for no other love triangle has gotten me as riled up as this one. Without giving spoilers, there are two very very very very likable boys, who are best friends, and have been ever since they were twelve. You can't possibly not like one or the other; you just may favor one over the other for different reasons. They both like the same girl, who has a connection with both, but is unable to make a certain decision on who she loves. The thing is, every single character in the story is likable. Even the bad guys are likable, because their personality is interesting and how they interact with others gives a great deal of conflict, which keeps the story going. The character's relationships are all intertwined with one another, so tangled the web is that it becomes complicated, and the reader becomes more involved with their backstories and their actions. This is what makes a great story; not only the plot, but the great immense complications of the characters' relationships. This has been one of my favorite series ever, and that concludes my endless rant. :D

Cherub

Cherub by Robert Muchamore. It's about a 12-year old boy, James, and how he gets recruited into an organization for young spies called CHERUB. Though he's a troublemaker, he's also intelligent, which makes him perfect material for CHERUB. In this book, he gets recruited, goes through tough training, and gets sent on his first mission.

BEWARE. THIS MAY BE MY LONGEST REVIEW YET.

I had a lot of problems with this book. I loved the Alex Rider series. I loved the Gallagher Series. I could barely get into the Genius series by Catherine Jinks before I had the urge to throw it at the wall. There are a ton of books I could compare Cherub to. To be brief, it wasn't all that bad. It was interesting enough that I got through it okay, but there were so many things that got on my nerves.

First off, are the characters. James, the main character, is 12-years old, yet he gets drunk, finds himself in police custody, and deals with an abusive stepfather. The actions he takes, it makes him seem like he's supposed to be older. His younger stepsister, Lauren, and how he talks about how he worries about her constantly, made it a complete shock to find that Lauren in 10-years old. Instead of being a responsible older brother, turns out he's only 2 years older than his sister. I had to keep reminding myself throughout the book that James was still only 12-years old, because he didn't act like it.

Next, is my understanding of what makes James spy potential. They call James a troublemaker, but intelligent. I couldn't find any evidence of why he might be intelligent. The way they measure, is by how quickly he can calculate sums in his head. Okay, he's a human calculator, so what? How is that useful? A characteristic of a spy should be cleverness, not intelligence. He seemed pretty stupid to me. He never used his head, and pretty much acted just like a 12-years old. Bravo.

Now onto the plot. A little less than half way through the book, James begins his basic training. Two-thirds of the book, and James finishes his training, and shortly goes on his first mission. Thus ends the book when his mission ends. I liked reading about James harsh training the most. It's about survival, and being pushed to your limits. They have to endure 3 months of nearly no sleep and endless training for 100 days straight. If you get an serious injury, or quit at anytime during the whole time, you are forced to start over from day 1 when the next training course begins. This was my favorite part because these recruits actually start to use their brains and resources in order to survive. It was interesting to read. I loved this part.

The mission, well I couldn't get into it. James acts like a whiny 12-year old, and thinks about who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. It ends the book talking all about moral and common sense, and good and evil. Basic theme for younger readers. Which may be why James is portrayed at a younger age. Which is why it annoyed me so much. Many books have that same theme, but it isn't as direct and obvious as in this book.

Many books have ingenious plot ideas, yet seriously lack in characterization. This book lacked in both areas. A spy school, may be a very interesting idea to write about, but it isn't original. The characters seemed so fake and artificial. This book didn't make much of an impression on me.

My Rating: 6 out of 10 stars

The Fault in Our Stars

Okay, I know I haven't been posting lately. So I have a lot of books to review and catch up on.

Description: Hazel meets Augustus at Cancer Support Group and falls in love with him. Although her life has never been normal again after she has been diagnosed, she still finds a world where she can enjoy herself. But is cause her to re-examine life and death and the legacies everyone leaves behind. (Very brief, I know.)

The Fault in Our Stars was the first book I read by John Green, and what struck me most was the unique style he wrote in. Even in such a sad story and such a serious topic, he still manages to bring humor into it that makes the story more light-hearted. The interesting characters, the sarcastic jokes, left me smiling the whole way. Though I admit that the plot didn't seem very promising, John Green is an author that writes well and causes his readers to think deeper into the heart of the story, to have mixed feelings, and to relate to the characters he presents. I really enjoyed this book.

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

City of Lost Souls

Okay! So the City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare is the fifth book in the Mortal  Instruments series. Which also means that if you haven't read the first four books, this review will have a ton of spoilers. (Hint, hint.) Ah, so now that everyone who didn't want the book to be spoiled for them has left, onto the review.

Recap: Basically, Jace is now "part" of Sebastian. Stab one, and you'll also have stabbed the other. Wonderful, considering that Sebastian has the whole Clave on his trail, his murder high on their priorities. Jace is just another Shadowhunter, so who cares if he dies in the process? Well, Clary, Isabelle, Alec, Simon, and Magnus are all naturally worried. And the rest of the gang.

So they have to track Jace and Sebastian down, and find a way to kill Sebastian without killing Jace, and they also have other things going on, and yeah. I feel like I'm doing a terrible job at this review. Okay... moving on.

This book was good. I enjoyed it, as I enjoy all of Cassandra Clare's books. They are just so well-written, and in such a fascinating world. However, somethings were just getting old after, what, five books? The romance thing was a bit annoying. There are 4 or 5 couples among the main characters, not counting the side characters. Plus, the epilogue at the end hinted at yet another problem for the next book. Not that cliffhangers and suspense isn't what I usually crave, but it's just too much!

Some people say that the author should've just finished the series after book 3, but I don't agree. I think it's still interesting to see the aftermath, and explore more of the various problems that pop up. I love this series. Yes, there are some things that annoy me greatly, but those are minor concerns. I love how it also ties in to the Immortal Instruments series, and can't wait to read the last books of both series. Same as always, great book.

My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Cassandra Clare's Works

Cassandra Clare is one of my favorite authors. The Mortal Instruments series first book is City of Bones, and it takes place in New York City. When Clary Fray witnesses a murder by three teenagers with strange tattoos and weapons, she immediately calls on the police. However, it turns out that only she can see the three murderers; they are invisible to everyone else. The victim's body seemingly vanished into thin air. She is unable to explain what she had witnessed, when her mother disappears and she is attacked by a demon. Immediately pulled into a world she didn't exist, she must trust the Shadowhunters who quickly become her friends as she searches for her missing mother, while slowly discovering the truths about herself and where she belongs in this world.

That pretty much explains the first three books in the series. The third book could've easily been the last, and finish off the series nicely, but the author decided to continue the series with a new plot, after the events in books 1-3.

The Infernal Devices is like a prequel series to the Mortal Instruments. Taken place  in London maybe a hundred years ago (not particularly sure on the time period, so more or less during that time) with different characters and a different plot. These series depict the same Shadowhunting world, and can be read separately without needing any knowledge from the other. However, in books 4-6 in the Mortal Instruments, it references some of the characters from in the past, so it's interesting to read both series, to give you an insight to the story. (Good to read them in the order they were published.) Choosing between the two series is hard; they are equally great.

Cassandra Clare has done an amazing job with expanding the world, and making it seem so real-like. The characters, the plots, the humorous voice of the characters that will keep you laughing in times of chaos. Many books I've liked, because of the plot and the characters, but very few pull me in so strongly that I can't stop reading until I reach the end. She's also terrific at setting up cliffhangers at the end of each book to keep you on edge until the next book comes out. Mysterious, suspenseful, amazingly well written. I recommend any of her books to anyone craving something good to read. My rating refers to Cassandra Clare's works in general.

My Rating: 10 out of 10 stars