There was beauty in the idea of freedom, but it was an illusion. Every human heart was chained by love.  Title: Lady Midnight Author: Cassandra Clare Series: The Dark Artifices, #1 Genre: Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books Date Published: March 8, 2016 Pages: 698 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads 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. Review: Wow. That is my short summary of Lady Midnight. I am in awe over how amazing this book was. Everything about it was phenomenal. I truly can’t express how great this book is through words. My only comment is that you need to read it yourself to experience the magic of Lady Midnight. Now, onto the actual review. One of the many things that I loved about Lady Midnight was the more in depth information about the parabatai bond. Most of the information left unanswered after The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices about the parabatai were answered, leaving a few remaining questions to be answered later and keep the mystery alive. Emma and Julian go on crazy adventures that put their parabatai bond to the test. In Lady Midnight, we get to see what the parabatai ceremony and bond really mean, especially for Emma and Julian. Another thing that I really enjoyed about Lady Midnight was the appearance of familiar characters from both The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices. We only saw short glimpses of them as the book primarily focused on Emma and Julian. However, the times they did appear added a lot to the book. During Lady Midnight, I realized something about Cassandra Clare’s books. I realized that with each book she writes, everything improves. It is almost like each book she writes gets better and better. Lady Midnight is one of the best books that I have read in 2017 so far. It is filled with intense twists and turns throughout the book. If you are looking for an adventurous read in the paranormal or fantasy genre, then I highly recommend you give Lady Midnight a try! Buy Lady Midnight:
0 Comments
 Wow. I have absolutely no words. I can't believe that I have been blogging for an antire year. This year has been filled with ups and downs but my blog is something that has remained constant in my life. I am so proud to say that I own this blog. I am so excited to see where it leads me in the future! I want to say how thankful I am for every like, comment, and follow I get. I created this blog last year on July 20th (2016) to share my love of books. For those of you who didn't know, I created this blog after getting inspiration from Katy in the Lux series. Now, not only am I able to do that, but I have also made some amazing friends in the book community. I have been thinking and thinking, trying to find something special to do for today. And, I couldn't think of anything. So, I am asking you guys! What should I do to celebrate my first blog anniversary? A giveaway? A special get to know me post? I would really appreciate it if you gave me some ideas! It is hard to believe that exactly one year ago, I hit that publish button on my blog. Since then, I have learned a few things about blogging. The first thing is it takes a LOT of work. But, it is incredibly rewarding. I also learned that this community is filled with people that make become your next best friends. I have learned much more than that, but I don't want to make this post filled with too many words. Before I started my blog I had no idea that bookstagram was even a thing. I started my bookstagram (@shoshireads) back in December and since then I have gained almost 500 followers! It never ceases to amaze me how friendly people are in this community. So, I am going to close out this post by saying thank you once more. Here's to the next years on my blog! :)
With love, Shoshi  I'm with you, my angel. -Nightfall by L.J. Smith This short but sweet quote is from my current read: Nightfall by L.J. Smith. It is a really amazing book so far and I am antcipating it being a 5 star book!  Elena Gilbert is alive- again.
When Elena sacrificed herself to save the two vampire brothers who lover her- the handsome, brooding Stefan and the sleek and dangerous Damon- she was consigned to a fate beyond death. Until a powerful supernatural force pulled her back. Now Elena is not just human. She has powers and gifts that were bestowed on her in the afterlife. What's more, her blood pulses with an overwhelming and unique force that makes her irresistible to any vampire. Stefan wants to find a way to keep Elena safe so that they can make a life together. Damon, however, is driven by an insatiable desire for power, and wants Elena to rule as his princess. When Stefan is lured away from Fell's Church, Damon seizes his chance to convince her that he is the brother she is meant to be with... But a darkness is infiltrating the town, and Damon, always the hunter, is now the hunted; he becomes the prey of a malevolent creature that can possess him at will, and who desires not just Elena's blood but her death.  Hi! Today I am going to be posting a tag. So, the tag I am posting today will be the Book Buying Habits Tag. I saw this tag at An Infinite Book World, so make sure to check out Alaina's answers to this tag! 1. Where do you buy your books? I buy my books from a few different places. Mostly, I buy my books from Amazon because I am able to get a good deal on them. Sometimes I will also buy my books at Barnes and Noble or their website. 2. Do you ever pre-order books and if so, do you do this in-store or online? I occasionally pre-order books when I am extremely excited for a book's release. On the rare occasion that I do pre-order a book, I always pre-order online from Amazon. 3. On average, how many books do you buy a month? It really depends on the month. When I have gift cards or there is a holiday, I will usually buy 3-6 books per month. But, when there is no special occasion I usually only buy 1-3 books per month. 4. Do you use your local library? No, I don't. I love re-reading my books so a book that I would have to return would not satisfy my re-reading habit. 5. What is your opinion on library books? I think they are great! They give people who don't have much money the experience of falling in love with reading without having to use money to buy books. 6. How do you feel about second-hand books? I think that they are awesome as long as they are in decent condition. It gives people the opportunity to get to read great books without having to buy the book at full-price. 7. Do you keep your TBR pile on your main bookshelf, or no? I do but I don't have a designated TBR shelf. I put my unread books wherever the fit, with other books in the series, with books by the same author, etc. 8. Do you plan to read all of the books you own? Yes! Eventually, I will get the chance to read every book that I own. I wouldn't buy a book if I didn't have the intention of reading it. 9. What do you do with books you feel you will never read/did not enjoy? I put them back on my shelves and plan to read them at a later time. 10. Have you ever donated books? I have! I donated some of the books that I will not be reading again. 11. Have you ever been on a book buying ban? I have but, they haven't lasted long because I usually see a book and can't resist! 12. Do you feel that you buy too many books?
Yes, all of the time! I usually get this feeling when I look at my bookcases and realize that I have no room left. I recieved a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. It's ten heartbeats until midnight.  Title: No Plain Rebel Author: M.C. Frank Series: No Ordinary Star, #2 Genre: SciFi, Fantasy, Dystopia Publisher: M.C. Frank Date Published: July 16, 2016 Pages: 212 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Synopsis: A soldier is summoned to the North Pole, days before the year changes, told to fix a the great Clock for a celebration. He has no idea what to do. A girl, hunted for the crime of being born, almost dies out on the ice. She is rescued by the last polar bear left alive. A library waits for them both, a library built over a span of a hundred years, forgotten in the basement of an ice shack. The world hasn't known hunger or sickness in hundreds of years. It has also forgotten love and beauty. The year is 2525. Inspired by the short stories of Ray Bradbury, this futuristic novel is set in a world where Christmas -among other things- is obsolete and a Clock is what keeps the fragile balance of peace. Written in three installments, this is the breathtaking and sensual story of how two unlikely people change the world, and each other, one book at a time. Immerse yourself into the icy cold world of this scorching hot new novel. In No Plain Rebel, Felix finds out the truth. Or so he thinks. He’s trying to come to terms with that, as well as with the fact that the Clockmaster’s shack has been discovered by his fellow-soldiers, but he can’t exactly concentrate. The match girl’s fiery curls appear before his eyes every ten seconds, distracting him, and then he starts talking to her in his head. Because she’s no longer there. The Stadium is looming in the distance. It’s ten heartbeats to midnight. Review: No Plain Rebel is one of the most unique books I have ever read. I am way out of my dystopia phase, but this specific dystopia was very different than any other dystopia, or book in general, that I have ever read. Many elements combine to make No Plain Rebel an unforgettable book. First, the world building in No Plain Rebel is exquisite. In every chapter, we learn more information about the fascinating world that M.C. Frank has created. Part of what makes the world building so amazing is the incredible detail that descriptions are written in. It takes some getting used to, but once you have, this becomes one of the best elements of the book. Another thing in No Plain Rebel that is great is the complex characters and the character development. Specifically in Felix. Astra does have a lot of complexity to her but Felix’s character development between books is unlike any other book. It was truly amazing to watch development in his character. The mood in No Plain Rebel varies depending on where in the book you are. It develops from moving slightly slow, kind of a planning mood to an intense and suspenseful mood to where you don’t know what will happen next. The ending of No Plain Rebel has me craving more of the story and I can’t wait to continue. This book is incredible and I highly recommend reading it. Buy No Plain Rebel:
 I was tagged by Alaina over at aninfinitebookworld to do the Unique Blogger Award/Tag. I am going to share the rules of this award so, if you have been tagged, you know what to do! The first step is to share the link of the blogger that tagged you. Next, you answer their questions. Then, you nominate 8-13 bloggers. Finally, you give them 3 questions to answer. So, here are Alaina's questions! 1. What is one book that has changed you? Has it changed your views on something, how you act or something else about you? What is that book and how has it changed you?  A book that changed me would be Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Obsidian changed my view of blogging. It inspired me to start my own blog and where would I be without my blog? Obsidian has also changed my view on everything really, because it is my favorite series. 2. Is there any book(s) that you hate so much that you would throw it away? What book(s) is it and why do you hate it?  I have never read a book that I hated so much that I would throw it away. I haven't really read many books that I've hated, actually. So, I am going to name a book that I didn't enjoy. That book would be Fallen by Lauren Kate. I didn't like Fallen because I found it to be pretty boring and repetitive. 3. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what book would you have by your side? You can only pick one book to keep with you until help comes... if they come.  I would bring Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare with me to a deserted island. I would bring Lord of Shadows because I love the book. It is also really long so it would keep me occupied if I ever got trapped on a deserted island until help arrived (hopefully). Here are my questions to everyone that I tag: 1. What is your absolute favorite book and why? The book that you've loved since the first word. The book that you couldn't live without. The book that you are so grateful to have been able to read. 2. What is the book that you have read or re-read the most times? 3. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what book would it be? Here are the people I am tagging:
Zelle from Fragile Myths, Kacie from Moonstone Books, Analee from Book Snacks, Books & Other Pursuits, Nerd Narration, Megan from Book Slayer Reads, Vicarious Bookworm, and Deborah from Hills of Books. Agapi mou, you are my everything.  Title: Sentinel Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout Series: Covenant, #5 Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Mythology Publisher: Spencer Hill Press Date Published: November 2, 2013 Pages: 297 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Synopsis: It's a beautiful day for a war. As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all. And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoonworthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time. In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear… or the end of herself. Review: Yes, I am aware that the rating for this book says 6 stars. No, it wasn’t an accident or a typo. This book was so phenomenal, I had to give it 6 stars. Sentinel was an emotional rollercoaster. The ending caused me to be an emotional wreck for several days. One because it was over and two because the events that the book ended on. I am NOT ready to let Alex and Aiden go. I need another book or 10! Can I have an Aiden? Please? Thank you. I haven’t mentioned this yet, but I loved the world building in the Covenant series. From the Gods, to the Underworld, everything was so well-thought out it felt like I was actually there. Since I was little, I’ve always had an interest in Greek mythology. Last year, my English teacher actually had a unit on it. Which was extremely helpful because I knew a lot of the myths and Gods mentioned in the Covenant series. This is now my 2nd favorite series (behind the Lux series). And that says a lot because I have read a lot of amazing books. Trust me, you will not regret reading this series. Do yourself a favor and read it. :) Buy Sentinel:
 Today I am in the mood to post a book tag. After searching for a fun tag to do, I found The Goodreads Tag over at bookbum. I tag anyone who uses goodreads to participate in this tag! 1. What was the last book you marked as read?  The last book that I marked as read is The Struggle by L.J. Smith. The Struggle is the second book in The Vampire Diaries series. I finished reading it yesterday and I really enjoyed it! 2. What are you currently reading?  I am currently reading The Fury by L.J. Smith. It is the third book in The Vampire Diaries series. I am loving the series and I can't wait to continue with it. 3. What was the last book you marked as "to read"?  This isn't exactly the last book I marked as "to read" but all of the others didn't have covers yet. So, the almost last book that I marked as "to read" is An Illustrated History of Notable Shadowhunters & Denizens of Downworld by Cassandra Clare. 4. Do you use the star system? Sometimes. I only use the star system on Goodreads when I post a review for a book (which isn't that often). 5. Are you doing the 2017 reading challenge? Yes! This is my first year doing the Goodreads reading challenge. As of now, I have read 54 out of my challenge goal of 100. 6. Do you have a wishlist? Nope. Well, technically, some of the books on my "to read" list are wishlist books, but not all of them as some aren't published yet. 7. Who are your favorite authors? I have a bunch of favorite authors. They include: Jennifer L. Armentrout, Wendy Higgins, Sarah J. Maas, and Cassandra Clare. 8. Have you joined any groups? I have joined three groups. Those groups are: Top 5 Wednesday, Bookalicious Book Club, and 2017 Big Book Summer Challenge. 9. How many Goodreads shelves do you have? I have three Goodreads shelves: read, currently reading, and want to read. These are the basic Goodreads shelves and I haven't added any of my own shelves.
An unforgiving season. Before it comes, you'll have learned what I can and can't do. Before winter is here, you'll have joined me. You'll be mine. -The Awakening/The Struggle by L.J. Smith This quote is from my current read: The Struggle by L.J. Smith. I am almost done with it and it is getting really interesting. I am super excited to finish it and continue the series!  A DEADLY LOVE TRIANGLE
Elena: the golden girl, the leader, the one who can have any boy she wants. Stefan: brooding and myterious, he seems to be the only one who can resist Elena, even as he struggles to protect her from the horrors that haunt his past. Damon: sexy, dangerous, and driven by an urge for revenge against Stefan, the brother who betrayed him. Determined to have Elena, he'd kill to possess her. Collected here in one volume for the first time, volumes one and two of The Vampire Diaries, the tale of two vampire brothers and the beautiful girl torn between them.  Hello again! This post is a book tag comparing The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices. I have read and loved both of these series so I am excited to answer the questions! I tag any lover of Cassandra Clare's books to do this tag! 1. Favorite main character: Clary or Tessa? This is a hard question for me. I am going to have to go with Tessa because I immediately loved her whereas it took my a while to love Clary. 2. Favorite Herondale: Jace or Will? This is another hard question! For this one, I am going to choose Jace. I love Jace and Wil almost equally, but Jace is just a little bit above Will in my mind. 3. Favorite love triangle: Simon/Clary/Jace or Will/Tessa/Jem? Definitely Will/Tessa/Jem. I really wasn't a fan of the whole Simon and Clary relationship so it wasn't even a love triangle to me. On the other hand, the Will/Tessa/Jem love triangle was a really great element to The Infernal Devices and was actually a good love triangle. 4. Better villain: Sebastian or the Magister? I'm going to go with Sebastian for this one. Both of these choices are evil but I think Sebastian takes the gold for this question. 5. Better army: The Dark Army or The Clockwork Army? Wow. This is yet another difficult question. The Dark Army is terrifying and wear the faces of people you may have known. The Clockwork Army is also petrifying and they are next to impossibe to kill. So, I am going to have to call this one a tie. 6. Better first book: City of Bones or Clockwork Angel? Okay, finally, an easy question. Clockwork Angel without a doubt. City of Bones was really hard for me to get into but with Clockwork Angel I was able to jump right in and start loving the series! 7. Better female sidekick: Isabelle Lightwood or Cecily Herondale? This is definitely going to have to go to Isabelle. It's not that I don't love Cecily, I just really love the element that Isabelle brings to the series. 8. Better setting: The New York Institute or The London Institute? Hm... I am not quite sure I'd like to live in either of the institutes but, if I have to pick, I would rather live in The New York Institute. 9. Better last book: City of Heavenly Fire or Clockwork Princess? This is yet another hard question. Both books broke my heart at some point or another but I was more satisfied with the ending of City of Heavenly Fire so I am going to have to say that City of Heavenly Fire is the better last book. 10. Better final epilogue: City of Heavenly Fire or Clockwork Princess? As I stated above, I was more satisfied with the ending of CoHF. I really loved both endings but City of Heavenly Fire comes out on top! Results:
I decided to not include the tie in the calculation of points so this is out of 9 instead of 10. TMI: 6 points TID: 3 points |
Currently Reading:Nightfall by
L.J. Smith Reading Challenges:Goodreads 2017: 60/100
Any original writings posted on this blog are protected under copyright ©Archives
July 2017
|
