Review: Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

Series: The Dark Artifices #1
Publication Date: March 28th 2016
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
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Synopsis: In a kingdom by the sea…

In a secret world where half-angel warriors are sworn to fight demons, parabatai is a sacred word.

A parabatai is your partner in battle. A parabatai is your best friend. Parabatai can be everything to each other—but they can never fall in love.

Emma Carstairs is a warrior, a Shadowhunter, and the best in her generation. She lives for battle. Shoulder to shoulder with her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, she patrols the streets of Los Angeles, where vampires party on the Sunset Strip, and faeries—the most powerful of supernatural creatures—teeter on the edge of open war with Shadowhunters. When the bodies of humans and faeries turn up murdered in the same way Emma’s parents were when she was a child, an uneasy alliance is formed. This is Emma’s chance for revenge—and Julian’s chance to get back his brother Mark, who is being held prisoner by the faerie Courts. All Emma, Mark, and Julian have to do is solve the murders within two weeks…and before the murderer targets them.

Their search takes Emma from sea caves full of sorcery to a dark lottery where death is dispensed. And each clue she unravels uncovers more secrets. What has Julian been hiding from her all these years? Why does Shadowhunter Law forbid parabatai to fall in love? Who really killed her parents—and can she bear to know the truth?

The darkly magical world of Shadowhunters has captured the imaginations of millions of readers across the globe. Join the adventure in Lady Midnight, the long-awaited first volume of a new trilogy from Cassandra Clare.

My Rating

5/5 stars

My Review

“There was beauty in the idea of freedom, but it was an illusion. Every human heart was chained by love.” 

I don't think I'll ever outgrow the shadow hunter world.

After the events of City of Heavenly Fire, Emma Carstairs has grown up in the Los Angeles Institue, alongside her parabatai Julian Blackthorn and his family. While out patrolling the streets with fellow shadow hunter Christina, the two girls find a body. Bodies of humans and fairies are being found similar markings that Emma found on her parent's bodies after the war. Emma was certain it wasn't Sebastian who murdered her parents, and the new trail of dead bodies could lead to her finding the real killer. But the mysteries of Los Angeles are more dangerous and twisted than Emma and Julian could have ever known.

I walked into this book with low expectations. Cassandra Clare has written some amazing books, but in all honesty, I didn't think she could write another fantastic book in the shadow hunter series. But I was slightly wrong.

While I do think this book was absolutely amazing, and still deserves 5 stars for the writing, it just wasn't as good as City of Bones or Clockwork Angel. With those two series, we had brand new characters and exciting settings. Yet with this release, we already knew Emma and Julian from City of Heavenly fire, and Los Angeles isn't the most creative setting to pick from.

It was wonderful to see the characters from both series again. We do get to find out what has happened to Jace and Clary as well as Tessa and Jem, as they are featured in the book multiple times. But I personally found it a tad annoying, I wanted to read about the characters from this book. It just felt like Cassy was trying to drag on the original stories way longer than they should have been. I will always stand by the quote "A good author knows when to finish a book," and I just don't think Cassy knows how.

The action and storyline of this book were absolutely amazing. Cassy threw in twists and I didn't see coming, and had me loving characters I never thought I would like. 

Even though this book had such a good storyline and romance, it just felt a little bit too long. There definitely could have been parts of the book that could have been skimmed and shortened. While I don't want to think badly of the author, I'm worried she just made the book a little longer to try and make more money out of it.

Either way, it was am amazing book compared to other series. As for Cassie's books, this series isn't one of her best. 

I still highly recommend giving this one a read, especially if you wanna find out what has happened to Clary, Jace, Tessa and Jem since the last book.

Happy Reading,

Aneta

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Series: The Mortal Instruments #6
Publication Date: May 27th 2014
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal
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Synopsis: In this dazzling and long-awaited conclusion to the acclaimed Mortal Instruments series, Clary and her friends fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary's own brother.

Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell.

The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris - but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons?

When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee - even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned...

Love will be sacrificed and lives lost in the terrible battle for the fate of the word in the thrilling final installment of the classic urban fantasy series The Mortal Instruments!

My Rating: 5/5 stars

My Review: 

“Temper us in fire, and we grow stronger. When we suffer, we survive.” 

I have been waiting for this book for the longest time! Now that I've read it.. I wish the wait was longer because I don't want this series to be over yet :(

The story continues as Sebastian takes revenge on the Shadowhunters by turning them into Endarkened and having brother fight against brother. With the fear of becoming one of the Endarkened, the Clave summons all Shadowhunters to Idris, leaving the world unprotected from demons. As Sebastain's army rises, the Shadowhunters have to decide whether they need to protect themselves, or fight.

I am so happy with the way this book turned out. It felt so good to have Jace and Clary be together again, especially since in the last book Jace wasn't himself. But don't get too happy! This book had so many twists and blindsides, it definitely kept me guessing whats going to happen next throughout the whole book. Never a dull moment. 

In this book, there are a lot of Emma Carstairs moments. At first I was really surprised that she was even in it, but really happy. Until I realized that she's actually in the book a lot! Don't get me wrong, I already love Emma, and I know I'm going to love the Dark Artifices, but I was still reading the Mortal Instruments, and I wanted to focus on Jace and Clary rather than Emma. It was just a little too much.

On the other hand, there was at least one reference to the Infernal Devices at least once per chapter throughout part one of the book. AND I LOVED IT. Every time they mentioned one of the characters from that series, I couldn't help but scream and fangirl a little. I feel like if you haven't read the Infernal Devices before, you'd probably find these incredibly pointless, and a little too spoilerish. It could ruin the other series for you. So I would definitely recommend reading the Infernal Devices before reading City of Heavenly Fire.

Alright, I don't want to write too much in my review, because this book was so amazing, and I don't want to ruin a single moment of it for you. But overall, this book was the perfect (second) ending to the series. The events played out beautifully, and Cassandra Clare's writing just keeps getting better and better. I highly recommend this book and this series to everyone I know.

Thanks for reading,
-Aneta

Teaser Tuesday: City of Heavenly Fire

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays! This is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read, open to a random page', share two (2) "teaser" sentences form somewhere on the page. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


My Teaser Tuesday is for the following..

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
Series: Mortal Instruments #6
Publication Date: May 27th 2014
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Teaser form page # 143

"I hope they catch him alive," said Emma, her eyes on Julian's. "I hope they kill him in Angel Square so we can all watch him die, and I hope its slow."

Waiting on Wednesday: Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore
Series: Dark Metropolis #1
Publication Date: June 17th 2014
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Dystopia
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: Cabaret meets Cassandra Clare-a haunting magical thriller set in a riveting 1930s-esque world.

Sixteen-year-old Thea Holder's mother is cursed with a spell that's driving her mad, and whenever they touch, Thea is chilled by the magic, too. With no one else to contribute, Thea must make a living for both of them in a sinister city, where danger lurks and greed rules.
Thea spends her nights waitressing at the decadent Telephone Club attending to the glitzy clientele. But when her best friend, Nan, vanishes, Thea is compelled to find her. She meets Freddy, a young, magnetic patron at the club, and he agrees to help her uncover the city's secrets-even while he hides secrets of his own.

Together, they find a whole new side of the city. Unrest is brewing behind closed doors as whispers of a gruesome magic spread. And if they're not careful, the heartless masterminds behind the growing disappearances will be after them, too.

Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare, this is a chilling thriller with a touch of magic where the dead don't always seem to stay that way.

Waiting on Wednesday: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

City of Heavenly Fire
by Cassandra Clare
Publication Date: May 27th 2014
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal 
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Goodreads Summary: ΕRCHOMAI, SEBASTIAN HAD SAID. 

I am coming.

Darkness returns to the Shadowhunter world. As their society falls apart around them, Clary, Jace, Simon and their friends must band together to fight the greatest evil the Nephilim have ever faced: Clary’s own brother. Nothing in the world can defeat him — must they journey to another world to find the chance? Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world changed in the sixth and last installment of the Mortal Instruments series!

Why I'm Waiting For This?
OH MY GOD!!! It feels like I've been waiting 20 years for this book to come out! 
I can't wait to buy a copy and hold it in my hands.
The Mortal Instruments is one of my favorite series. City of Bones was the book that made me addicted to reading, and I am so glad I read it 4 years ago. 
I absolutely admire Cassandra Clare's writing, she is probably one of my favorite authors of all time. She could write about anything and it would become a major hit!
I want to read this book right now, but then again I don't want this series to end. But I will read it anyways, I plan to skip school that day, go to the mall as soon as it opens and buy a copy and then spend the rest of my day reading in my room, probably with a box of tissues beside me. 
I can't wait to see what happens to Jace and his new superpowers, what happens to Malec, and the moment I have been waiting for since Clockwork Princess came out... The moment Clary meets Tessa! It will be epic!

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Book Three in Infernal Devices Series

Goodreads Review : Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.

Tessa Gray should be happy – aren't all brides happy? Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shaodwhunters of the London Institute. 

A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her. 

My Rating : 5/5 stars

My Review : MOST AMAZING BOOK I EVER READ! I will never love another book more than this one. I cried like 20 times in this book, they were sad tears, tears of anger, and happy tears. I became a little depressed after this book was over because i just wanted the story to continue on, forever and ever.

You know when you read a book so good, you just cant start another book for a few days.. it took me a month to get over this book.. AMAZING.. JUST AMAZING!!!

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Book Two in Infernal Devices Series

Goodreads Review : In magical Victorian London, orphan Tessa found safety with the Shadowhunters, until traitors betray her to the Magister. He wants to marry her, but so do self-destructive Will and fiercely devoted Jem. Mage Magnus Bane returns to help them. Secrets to her parentage lie with the mist-shrouded Yorkshire Institute's aged manager Alyosius Starkweather.

My Rating : 5/5 stars

My Review : This book left me speechless... Like can i just go roll up in a ball and stay there for a month or two? I haven't cried this much in a book like ever. I actually had to stop a few times, take in what just happened, breath, and then continue on. If you've read the first one, don't even wait, like read this right now. You will love it.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Book One in Infernal Devices Series

Goodreads Review : In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them....

My Rating : 5/5 stars

My Review : This is probably my favorite book of all time. If you've read the Mortal Instruments you have to read this series right away.

In this series a girl named Tessa comes to London expecting to be living with her brother. When she lands she is taken by the mysterious Dark Sisters. They trap her in a house and force her to "change." What Tessa didn't know is that she has the power to change into different people, not only does she look like them but she can also access their memories. After being held prisoner by the Dark Sisters, they reveal to her that she is to be married to the Magister, when Tessa's escape plans fail, she is surprisingly rescued by none other than William Herondale.
I loved how there was a connection to the original series, we get to meet the Herondales, the Lightwoods, and the Fairchilds. This series has very interesting characters. Tessa is an amazing girl, she loves books, and she is just a very smart and intellectual character. There's just something about her that everyone loves, including the two main male characters. William Herondale is a spitting image of Jace, they're both super hot, mysterious, and lovable. The only difference is that Will has black hair, and blue eyes. Jem Carstairs is the other main male character, he is of Asian descent, yet he is striking with his silver hair. Unlike Will, he is very slim but has a soft layer of muscle. Jem is just smart, lovable and gifted on the violin. While Will is more mysterious and sometimes rude (but super hot), Jem is the kind and caring soul that all the girls want. This is one of the main reasons why i love this series, is because i can't pick between the two guys, they're both just so amazing. I don't want Tessa to end up with either of them so i can have them to myself. I could only wish. Anyways, read this book, and you wont regret it!