Review of Spin the Dawn

Title:  Spin the Dawn

Author: Elizabeth Lim

Series: The Blood of Stars book 1

Chapters: 37

Pages: 392

Genre: teen fantasy 

Rating: 5 stars 

Publisher:  Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

The tag for this book was Mulan meets project runway.  And to me this is spot on. Maia Tamarin wants to be a tailor but the only problem is she's a girl and that's not done.  When her father is summoned to court for a tailoring contest, she goes in her father's place pretending to be her brother.   I didn't know how I was going to feel about this book but after the second chapter, I was hooked.  Maia is a tough and determined young woman who will do anything for her family but still wants to follow her dreams.  Edan is the court magician who side you don't really know who's side he's on.  

After reading Spin the Dawn I've come to the conclusion that I'll read anything Elizabeth Lim writes and even though this book ended on cliff hanger, it wasn't that bad of a cliff hanger. The only thing that it did is have me waiting impatiently for the second book in this series. 

Sorcery of Thorns review

Title:  Sorcery of Thorns 

Author: Margaret Rogerson 

Chapters: 36 Plus Epilogue 

Pages: 453

Genre: Teen fantasy, Teen Steampunk 

Rating: 5 stars 

Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry Books

     When I heard the premise of Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson I knew that I had to read it.  Elisabeth grew up in a library, I mean what bookworm hasn't wished that they could live in a library.  However, the libraries in these worlds don't hold books to be read instead they keep books contained. Away from people so they don't fall into the wrong hands.  But then something happens and she becomes public enemy number one.  Forcing her to have to team up with her enemy sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn.  Nathaniel has become one of my new literary heroes.  He may be rough around the edges and slight pain in the butt be he uses that to hide a heart of gold. 

Part of me didn't want to put this book down, but the other part of me didn't want the book to end.  I loved Elisabeth and Nathaniel together, their banter is perfect.  Sorcery of Thorns gave me Beauty and the Beast vibes and I loved it. To me, the ending wrapped up the story perfectly though it did leave an opening for a sequel which I wouldn't say no to it.

I look forward to reading other books by this author.  I would recommend this book to fans of Beauty and Beast retellings, fantasy and steampunk. 

Mini Review of The Orphan Queen

Title: The Orphan Queen

Author:  Jodi Meadows

Series:  The Orphan queen book 1

 

Pages: 391

Genre: teen fantasy

Rating: 4 stars

An orphan princess who's determined to get her kingdom back with the help of her friends and masked figure.  The Orphan Queen is an unique teen fantasy and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.   

Review of City of Glass

Title: City of Glass

Author: Cassandra Clare

Series: The Mortal Instruments Book 3

 

Chapters: 20 plus epilogue

Pages: 541

Genre: Teen fantasy

Rating: 4.5 Stars

     City of Glass is the third book in The Mortal Instruments series. At first it was suppose to be the final book in a trilogy. The reason that it does not end in a cliff hanger. It tends to end bitter sweet. Clary and her friends must face a battle that the shadowhunters cannot win without the help of the downwordlers.

     On a personal note Clary gets a shock and three different pieces of information that will change her life forever. I really enjoyed reading City of Glass and I cannot wait to read the next three books in the series though I have to wait until May 2014 for the final book.

    

Review of City of Ashes

Title: City of Ashes

Author: Cassandra Clare

Series: The Mortal Instruments 

Chapters: 19 plus epilogue

Pages: 453

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Rating: 3 ½ stars (for language) 4 stars for storyline.

     Book 2 In The Mortal Instrument City of Ashes picks up where City of Bones leaves off. Clary thought her surprises were finished but she’s wrong. She finds out that her father is very much alive and she has a brother she never knew about. Not her best friend is going through changes himself. City of Ashes has a little bit more action than book one.

     While I liked City of Ashes for the story and action I could have done without some of the language.  It was still a good book for mainstream teen fiction that is why the two star rating.  Other than the language the only thing that I didn’t like was that it ended in a cliff hanger. It does make want to read the rest of the series. My sister keeps bugging me to start book three.

Review of City of Bones (book)

Title: City of Bones

 

Author: Cassandra Clare

Series: The Mortal Instruments book 1  

Chapters: 23 plus epilogue

Pages: 485

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Rating: 4 stars

    

     Clary had always thought that she was a normal teenage girl. That her mom was just an artist and her dad was dead. However all that changes when she thinks she witnesses a murder that no one else can see.

     To make matters worse her mother goes missing and she meets Jace a shadow hunter, and she might be one as well. So begins City of Bones the first book in the Mortal Instruments series.

     When my sister basically made read City of Bones I didn't think that I would like it. This was because it was a type of book that I normally don’t read. Once I started it I felt myself drawn to the characters especially Clary who is described as being short with red hair, green eyes a short temper. I will admit that I broke one of my own rules: I saw the movie before I read the book. I have broken that rule only once before with The Lord of Ring trilogy. However now I wish I had read the book before I went to see the movie. Both however were relatively good.