CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS!!!

Moshi moshi, fanpeople of the fanverse!!!!
Just two days ago it was April 5th, and I experienced something life changing:
I bought and began to read the fourth book in the Mortal Instruments.

THAT'S RIGHT, PEOPLE, CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS IS HERE!!!!



This monumental event can only be compared to other's such as the discovery of gravity, Columbus's landing on America, the French Revolution, and of course--the day I was born!

(I kid, I kid)

Anyhow, this book was ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING I WANTED and MORE. I won't go over any of the finer points, because we all know that if you haven't read the book it will simply be too tempting to read past the spoiler!warning. BUT OH MY GOD. UTTERLY AMAZING.

The ending, of course, being a Cassandra Clare-style cliff hanger made me want to DIE and then build a time machine so I could get City of Lost Souls. I mean, you think you know. But you don't know. So just trust me on this one--you have no idea. Really.

(am I making any sense at alll...?)

I was not disappointed in any way. At all. I was really looking forward to seeing how Magnus and Alecs' relationship was going to develop (especially with that pesky immortality thing thrown into the mix) and let me just say: WOW.

W

O

W.

The SimonxIsabelle/SimonxMaia love triangle thingy was AWESOME, too. A HUGE wrench got thrown into that one, do read and find out.

Can't say anything about Jace and Clary because I feel it gives out too much on the story.

Nope, I won't say anything. Nope.

Okay, I mean I'll say one thing: everything you wanted/didn't want to happen happened and GOD just read it because, wow.

So, to sum up, this book was exactly what all us slavering TMI fans were waiting for. All that and more.

Now I'm going to start obsessively counting down the days until CoLS!!!

Till then (well, hopefully before then),

K

The "Let's Pretend It's Still August" ramble post.

Er....hello.
I am aware that it's, you know. October. Which is actually two months after August--the month when both Mockingjay and Clockwork Angel came out. Which I have been raving about since this blog started. To quote Ritsu-san from Takaya-sensei's manga Fruits Basket--I APOLOGIZE TO THE WHOLE UNIIIVEEEERRSEEEEEE!!!!!!
I've been busy! You know...busy....and...yes I'm making excuses. 
Luckily I have good news!! I whipped up a review for both Mockingjay and CA for school so--I can post 'em here to. Yay! 

Infernal Devices Book One: Clockwork Angel, by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel is the first book in the prequel trilogy to Cassandra Clare’s nationally best selling books, The Mortal Instruments. Set 100 years before the original trilogy’s first installment (City of Bones) Clockwork Angel begins in Victorian age London. You’ll be hooked from the first line on as you follow Tessa Grey’s adventures in the shadowy underworld of England. Warlocks, Vampires, and Demons—oh my! Get caught up in the love triangle between cynical Will, kind-hearted Jem, and feisty book-lover Tessa as a murderer begins to uproot the peace of the Shadow World. Those who loved The Mortal Instruments will find this a refreshing take on their favorite series (especially since a few immortal characters making a reappearance…hint-hint—Magnus Bane!) and new Cassandra Clare readers will fall in love with the edgy story and richly lifelike characters. No matter who you are, if you like fantasy, adventure, and a little bit of romance this is definitely your story. I am a HUGE TMI fan, and even though this book wasn’t as good as the originals, I still highly recommend it. Seriously. Read it.  5/5

The Hunger Games Book Three: Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins

Wow. I mean. Wow. I bought this book as soon as it came out (which, by the way, meant taking two different subways and walking a fair amount down into the name streets of Manhattan) and started it on the ride back home. I finished it the next day, and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since. The story starts off a few months after Catching Fire ended, it follows Katniss Everdeen’s continued battle against The Capitol. It wrapped up the Hunger Games trilogy in a way some of us might have expected, and others couldn’t have dreamed of. I’ve heard a lot of different reactions about this book—Loved It, Hated It, I Knew This Was Going To Happen, I Told You So—and I haven’t really decided how I feel about it yet. It was amazing, of course, probably the best book out of the trilogy—the action, the story, the characters, even the humor—it all got amped up triple-fold. But that didn’t stop it from totally breaking my heart. For those who haven’t read it yet—I won’t say much more. For those who have, you probably all know what I’m talking about. Read the book, read the series—just make sure that you go into it all prepared. Because this series takes you and does not let go—trust me. 5/5

Mockingjay was like the literary equivalent of watching all your best friends die. Now I'm NOT SAYING ANYTHING about the plotline. I'm just saying that going into this book un-prepared for...you know. Bad things, will get you a first ticket to UTTER DEPRESSION. 

Clockwork Angel, on the other hand, was a nice frolic in steam-punk London. Well, "frolic" might be a bit of a strong word but it certainly wasn't as depressing as Mockingjay. The characters were simply amazing--I LOVED the Jem, Will, Tessa trio. Right now I think I'm Team...Will. Probably. Mostly because I want Jem all to myself hehehe. Awesome book, though. Read it!!!! 

I am SO looking forward to City of Fallen Angels. The cookies Cassandra Clare posts every month are enough to keep me alive till April and...DRIVE ME TOTALLY INSANE. I mean, seriously. It sounds too good to be real. So far the Alec/Magnus and ClaryxJace I've read has been SO AWESOME not to mention some other tingly-tingly plotpoints. 

So I'm short for time right now so please read Mockingjay and Clockwork Angel and I'll see you next time!!!!

K

Died and Gone to Heaven

Hello, boys, girls, and those undecided--and welcome to my blog!
Now, I'd like to start with some earth-shaking news:

CASSANDRA CLARE HAS ANNOUNCED THREE MORE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS BOOKS!!!!!!!!

O. M. F. G

The books are: City of Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls, and City of Heavenly Fire. They all take place after City of Glass, and the first is going to be released April 5, 2011. 

I'm sorry, but: HOLY CRAP. I went to the author chat with her on the 4th (I'll post the link the video at the bottom of the post) and I ALMOST DIED. Three more TMI books? Can it be true? It's like the Gods of Books heard the pleas of us mortals and granted us HEAVEN ON EARTH. 

The best part is that when I finished City of Glass, I went through that classic "this-is-the-best-series-ever-and-now-it's-over-how-shall-I-go-on?" depression (you should have seen me after I finished Twilight. *shudder*) and now, it's like, I get to fall in love with that world all over again. What more could I ask for?

And since the books will be coming out steadily for the years to become (because, don't forget, Cassandra Clare is also writing the prequel series, the Infernal Devices) it's like the Harry Potter of the modern world. I mean, who else spent their childhood waiting for the next HP book like it was a holiday? 

Now, I have more to say but I'm strapped for time so I'll just finish off with some links, eh?

The Announcement (and some awesome Q&A): http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/8716941

Cassandra's Blog: http://cassandraclare.livejournal.com/

The awesome counter I have at the bottom of the blog: http://cassandraclare.com/cms/home

8 day's till Mockingjay, and 14 till Clockwork Angel!!! w00t! 

Fangirl--out!

K

August, I FREAKING LOVE YOU!

Hello and nice to meet you! 

Let me hear you shout: AUGUST, BABY!! 

One more time, with feeling my chikadees: AAAUUUUGUUUSSSTTT BAAAABBBYYYY!!!!

(anyone else feeling Justin Beiber-ish?....dear me...)

I believe I mentioned in an earlier post why August is such an important month to me. Well, to repeat myself, here's the deal:

Mockingjay, the final installment to the Hunger Games trilogy, is OUT IN, LIKE, 23 DAYS (not counting today, which no one should) OMFG!!!!!!! I'm so excited for this book!! The end of Catching Fire was the worst kind of cliffhanger, and I need to find out what happened next. I'm Team Gale--how about you, dear readers? 

And then, a mere six days after Mockingay, THE CLOCKWORK ANGEL HITS SHELVES!!!!!!!!!

I seriously can not wake any longer for this book. I keep reading reviews for it and, GAH, I NEED IT NOW PLEASE THANK YOU! It looks so amazing. Smexii Victorian backdrop, gorgeous clothes, a hint o' steampunk, pretty boys with ugly-making secrets, and best of all--MAGNUS IN A FROCK COAT!! 

What? I've mentioned I'm a Magnus fangirl, right? 'Cuz I am. I also love AlecxMagnus.

(While I'm on the subject:

Pairings for TMI are as follows: ClaryxJace, AlecxMagnus, SimonxIsabelle. I will not condone MaiaxSimon and any who so dare support that shall suffer my wrath)

What was I talking about...?

Ah, yes. AUGUST!!! I cannot wait to read these two books. Also looking forward to Linkin Park releasing new single tomorrow. 

Yeah. Now I'm talking about music. I really have no attention span.

OH RIGHT!

I read Skinned, by Robin Wasserman, a little while ago and LOVED IT. It was simply amazing. Haunting, funny, richly told, and really, as I like to say, "deep-thought-making" o.O I don't think I've read such a good cyber-high dystopic future book since the Uglies trilogy (Scott Westerfeld). 

August third marks the paperback release of it's sequel, Crashed. Cha-ching! (that's the sound the bookstore cash register will make as I purchase this book with the last vestiges of my dwindling spendings) 

I can't wait to see how this trilogy continues! 

Marking off the days on my calendar,

K

Dreams, Otaku Fey, and Why I Might Sue Hollywood

Hello, Hello, Hello~

It's been a really long time since I've updated--I'm quite aware of that. Luckily for you--I intend to begin posting more frequently! Unluckily for me--I'll have to stop procrastinating and start reviewing!! 

I think I'm going to change up the format a bit. Bear with me as I figure out exactly what I mean by that.

Where to begin--?

How about with the most epic series I've read in awhile!!!

The Wake Trilogy, Lisa McMann.

Holy. Crap. 

These books can be summarized by those two words above. Honestly, you open the first one and you don't ever want to stop reading. They're a perfect mix of horror, paranormal drama, romance, and that kind of edgy hold-your-breath-stop-your-heart writing style that is...well, SO EPIC. 

Plotlet:

Sixteen-year-old Janie is a normal, albeit poor, teenager finishing off high school Except for one thing: she can fall into other people's dreams. Janie is tormented by the dreams that she experiences during school, driving, and at home. Nightmares leave her panicked, all dreams leave her weak--and some are just embarrassing. But nothing compares to the horrible nightmare she's sucked into one night--a monster with knifes for fingers that seems to know she's there. 

Janie's life is about to be thrown even more off course. But she might just be able to get in on track, and maybe even fall in love. If the nightmares don't catch up with her first. 

Author's Website:

http://www.lisamcmann.com/html/home2.html

Seriously. Read these books. 

OH! Before I move on--good old HollyWood is making a movie out of the first book. And who's up for the lead? Our dearest Janie? MILEY CYRUS. OMG. I'm sorry, but she's completely wrong for the part. 

COMPLETELY. WRONG.

Apart from being a Disney Bopper--no offense, I was a mega Suite Life fan in my youth--she doesn't even look like Janie. UGH! I will sue Hollywood if I need to. 

(I'm gonna need a damn good lawyer...)

***

Okay, whatnextwhatnext. Here's a little rambling for you, I suppose:

I've been reading a lot of faerie stories lately. A sampling:

Need, by Carrie Jones. Interesting twist on werewolves and pixies. Not bad, not my favorite. The love interest wasn't as interesting as, say, Roiben from the Tithe books. Although maybe I'm a bit biased because I'm a major Roiben fangirl. Eh *shrugs* I still think hot faeries are better than hot werewolves. No, that does not mean I'm Team Jacob. 

The Poison Eaters and Other Stories, Holly Black

Not all the stories were about the fey, but JESUS I LOVED THIS BOOK. So many of the stories felt like the faerie tales I read when I was little, except really twisted and edgy. I love that, when authors take a theme from the good ol' boys fairy tales and make them into super edgy, epicelly dark, and gloriously twisted faerie tales. LOVELOVELOVE! (note that Roiben is also in this book so, wow. Really am a fangirl for that guy) 

Ink Exchange, by Melissa Marr.

I checked this out a long time ago, only to find out that Catching Fire (Suzanne Collins) was finally in, and I could only have five books out at a time so...Ink Exchange, out. Catching fire, in. Anyway. I got it again, and I'm really looking forward to reading more (what?! I still haven't finished the damn thing?!). I loved it so far. Great characters, awesome story line and take on the faerie world.

Yes I am aware it is part of a series. I'm working on it, okay?! *twitch twitch*

Spells, Aprilynne Pike.

Eeep! I read it!! It was awesome. I think I liked it better than Wings, just because there was more Tamani and more Avalon. OH, yes. I am definitely Team Tamani. A couple of times during the book, I was like "maybe a troll will kill David and than Laurel will go with Tamani..." OF COURSE, I was just kidding *shifty eyes*. It was an errant thought, people! Still. I wish David would butt out. Tamani is clearly superior. 

Can't wait for book three. Anyone who read Spells and is also wanting to see Tamani pwn David in public will agree *winkwink*. 

The Iron Fey, Julie Kagawa.

Um, can you say AWESOME. Super creative, amazing characters, great dialogue, and ANIME REFRENCES. My kind of book. I frickin' loved Puck, Grim, Meghan, and Ash *big heart love eyes*. He's like a black-haired, slightly more evil Roiben. WOOT! I loved the "otaku faerie" line. And the author used the word "glomp" on her blog. HELLYA!

I give all these books and characters a universal mental glomp. Ahem. 

*pantpant* long...post...

'Till next time, my chikadees. 

K

Neo Japanese Surge Monkeys and My New Reason to Breathe

Hello, loves.
Look at me, updating within three months. Heh. 
Anywayyyy, what am I reading right now? The answer would be Extras! The fourth book in Scott-la's amazing "trilogy". 
(Fangirl to human tranlastion: 
Scott-la; Scott Westerfeld
"trilogy"; the Uglies trilogy, which has four books.)
I loved Uglies, Pretties, and even Specials--even if it kind of made me want to throw it across the room--but I think Extras is my favorite. Which is weird. Cuz it's not actually all the same characters of the first three or anything. But oh well. I just love the Japanese aspect, and all the new cliques and the reputation economy--not only is it super fun to read about, it's just such brilliant writing!! I wish I had an eyescreen or a feed...so fun, no?
Other good news--Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep is coming out THIS SEPTEMBER in North America!! I can only hope it hits the rest of the world soon!!
Don't know what Kingdom Hearts is? Then GAH, I look down my bookishly-freckled nose at you. It's an EPIC JRPG video game produced by SquareEnix. I'm not a huge gamer (books are my vice of choice), but I CANNOT begin to describe how amazing this game series is. 
Whatelsewhatelsewhatelse? I realize that I've been really just talking about books, not actually reviewing them (laugh) I guess that in a way talking about them is reviewing in it's own way? I'll think on this~
I have more to say, but not the time. 
Goodbye for now, dear readers.
K

I Will Never Go To An Island, Or a Small California Town

Hey all~
Woah, I haven't updated in awhile. My internet's been on the fritz, and I've been reading oodles of books lately. 
The best by far have been the Gone series, by Michael Grant. I'd give them a full review, but I'm short on time and all ready lazy. So anyway, these books are AMAZING. I've read Gone and Hunger, and will be reading Lies shortly. These books are sooooo heart attack-making. Action every single chapter, amazing plot line, chilling violence--gah, they are amazing!! Go, go to a bookstore or library and read them now!!!
Why are you still reading this post?! GO READ THESE BOOKS!!!
For those still reading:
This series is very Lord of The Flies-ish. I just loved that book, despite it making me utterly depressed, and so Gone really got some brownie points for that. I've been emotionally scarred by both of them. Now I will never set foot on an island, or a small beach town. Never. Ever. Ever. 
Seriously strapped for time, so I'll sign off now.
K