Review: The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Title: The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Walker Books
Year of Release: 2008
ISBN: 9781406318494
Source: Purchased (Myer, $14.95)*
Number of Pages: 411 (this edition)

Summary: 
With her mother in a coma and her father hellbent on destroying the world, Clary Fray is dragged deeper into New York City's terrifying underworld of werewolves, demons and the mysterious Shadowhunters. Discovering the truth about her past was only the beginning. Now the fate of the world rests on Clary's shoulders, but can she master her new-found powers and control her feelings for a boy who can never be hers?

Note:
Before I begin this review, I need to apologise to all my followers and readers of this blog for being so slack in posting ANYTHING for the last few months. I am so sorry! With work, illness and many personal issues that I can't write here, I haven't exactly had much time for reading or blogging. Despite this though, I am really looking forward to getting back to doing the things I love, including writing and maintaining this blog. Thank you all so much for sticking by me and I promise to deliver soon! If any of you have any concerns/questions, you know where to contact me!

~

I finished reading City of Ashes last night (finally) and once again found myself incredibly satisfied with the content of this book, just as I was with the last one. Clare once again delivers an amazing story, not only building upon the last, but creating so many new twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout the entire book. She really wasn't scared to experiment with my emotions in this book, either. Reading this book for the first time is similar to a roller-coaster ride, taking you up with the joy and humour and laughs, and back down and upside down with the transformations, deaths and love and romance outcomes. 
New characters are introduced, old ones re-emerge, current ones are built upon, and Clary and Jace just need to get nakey already!  As I mentioned in my review of City of Bones, this is a book series suitable for people of all ages. There is something for everyone and every reader's interest; love, love triangles, intense and dramatic fight/battle scenes, supernatural powers and entities... everything a good and captivating series needs is captured in The Mortal Instruments. 
One of the things I love most about this series is the character diversity. There are so many different people and it makes the books so interesting. I don't mean species diversity here, though there is plenty of that, I mean individual character diversity. Differences in sexuality, personality, age, gender, race, it's so incredibly heterogeneous and keeps it entertaining. 
There is nothing I love more than an author that is not afraid to experiment with his/her writing and Cassandra Clare is definitely one of those authors. Though it is arguably damaging to my mental health, Clare kept the book going at a fast-paced speed and incorporated something surprising into almost every chapter. Never a dull moment. Clare's  skilful descriptions of the supernatural creatures and demons is enough to keep even the most toughest of tough reader's hearts beating at insane speeds. Her incredible amount of detail in these parts of the book are beautifully written, yet somewhat disturbing at the same time. I found the fact that I was genuinely grossed and freaked out at the same time as a sign of a good writer. 
To elaborate on this, one of my biggest book pet peeves is when authors fail to write end battle scenes properly and ruin the entire the book. Fight scenes that are supposed to be intense and all-consuming often fall short of these expectations, however this is not the case with Cassandra Clare. She writes brilliantly and her descriptions were perfect enough to bring tears to my eyes and have me feeling genuinely anxious and worried about my characters! 
The ending used a fantastic cliffhanger and now has me so excited for book three, City of Glass. 

Links:
Read my review of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones here!
Visit Cassandra Clare's official website here
Find more information on the upcoming film of City of Ashes here

*Prices relevant to Australian stores

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Wish Could Have Had Sequels

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week, we'll make a list of our top ten something* and this week, it's our Top Ten Books I Wish Could Have Had Sequels.
*In no particular order
1. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
This was such a genius book with a fantastic plot line, perhaps a sequel with more detail about Pi's life after he was rescued, meeting his wife, how they fell in love, adjusting to a family life without his family... It would make a really great story.
2.Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey
I loved this book so much, I would really enjoy a sequel! It would be one of those books I would immediately buy, no questions asked. 
3. Saving June by Hannah Harrington
Haven't I talked about this one enough for you guys to know how much I adore it?
4. Speechless by Hannah Harrington
Again, this was such a great book, I would love a sequel just to see how the love story of this book evolves.
5. The Eternal Ones by Kristen Miller
I loved this book and it's concept so so much. It focused on reincarnation and was really well-written. Though I think it ended well, I would love to read more!
6. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
A sequel without Augustus just wouldn't be right, but I loved Hazel and Isaac so much, I think this book could have a sequel, but even so, it's one of the best stand-alone books out there, so maybe a sequel would ruin it. 
7. Love You Two by Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli
I read this book a while ago, but I really liked it and the issues it addressed. I loved some of the characters, I would definitely read the sequel if there was one.

That's all for this week guys, sorry I couldn't get ten, but I read a lot of books that are parts of series and not so many stand-alone ones. Please leave me links to all your TTTs so I can check them out and let me know in the comments the ones on my list you did or didn't agree with! Please +1 this post if you thought it was worthy and follow me to read more of my TTTs and future reviews. Thanks guys. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Beginnings/Endings In Books

**THERE WILL BE MAJOR SPOILERS IN THIS POST** 

Don't continue reading if you are currently reading or are going to read the following: Haunting Violet, Evernight, The Fault In Our Stars, Fallen, The Hunger Games. PARTICULARLY: City of Bones, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Hush, Hush, Breaking Dawn, Linger.

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week, we'll make a list of our top ten something* and this week, it's our Top Ten Favourite Beginnings/Endings In Books. I'm splitting this in half here and am going to give you five of my fave beginnings and five of my fave endings.
*In no particular order

BEGINNINGS
1. Haunting Violet - When Violet arrives at the train station and Colin rescues her from some pervert boys
Loved, loved, loved this book, such a great read and captivating from the very beginning. 
My review
2. Evernight - When Bianca tries to run away from her parents and meets Lucas
It was fate. This was one of the best scenes in the entire series and their relationship began at that precise moment, even if they didn't realise it. 
My review
3. The Fault In Our Stars - When Hazel meets Augustus for the first time
Okay, not really the beginning but close. How could I not include this?
My review
4. Fallen - When Daniel flips Luce off
Haha! Though it was confusing and weird when it happened, it was a really funny part of the story and we find out later why he treated her like that. It's actually pretty cute. 
My review
5. The Hunger Games - When Katniss uses herself as tribute in place of Prim
Love those heroine moments. 
My review

ENDINGS
1. City of Bones - When Jace is Clary's brother
One of the biggest literary shocks of my life. Who would have guessed that could have been possible?! Blew my mind, it did. 
My review
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - When Voldermort dies & the nineteen years later part
It was the perfect ending to this series! I loved it and cried like a baby for about three hours. 
3. Hush, Hush - When Patch chooses Nora over getting his feelings back
True love at it's finest. Patch gives up something he desperately wants to be with Nora and saves her life in the process. He chooses her over himself and the very end of this book was... sexy. 
My review
4. Breaking Dawn - When Bella lets Edward read her mind
Such a romantic part of the series, and one of the most iconic too. They relive all their memories that made them who they are and it's just basically beautiful.
5. Linger - When Grace is a werewolf
Didn't see that coming. 
My review

That's all for this week guys, I hope you've enjoyed my list! Please leave me links to all your TTTs in the comments below and let me know what you agreed with and what I missed in this post.
Remember to +1 this post if you think it was worthy and subscribe to me to read more of my TTTs and future reviews! :)

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Authors Who Deserve More Recognition

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week, we'll make a list of our top ten something* and this week, it's our Top Ten Authors Who Deserve More Recognition. 
*In no particular order

1. Claudia Gray
This is the author of the Evernight series and the stand-alone book Fateful. There are some pretty harsh reviews on her works, but I really enjoy her writing and I think Evernight is a really great series.
2. Alexandra Adornetto
Author of the Halo trilogy, this is an amazing series, and though I haven't gotten around to reading the last one just yet, I know these books definitely deserve way more recognition than they are getting.
3. Alyxandra Harvey
The Haunting Violet creator, this amazing author has an incredible talent for writing and more people need to pick up her books!
4. Pittacus Lore
Writer of the Lorien Legacies, including books I Am Number Four, The Power of Six and The Rise of Nine, this author is so creative in that he is able to put a captivating and original spin on an old theme to make it his own.
5. Lauren Kate
There are so many negative reviews and comments floating around about the Fallen series. Though I didn't particularly enjoy the first book, I think the series as a whole is amazing and I disagree with people saying that it's just Twilight with angels.
6. Cat Patrick
Forgotten author, this is a great YA writer that will astound you with her stand-alone debut novel and keep you coming back for more.
7. Rebecca James
Her debut novel Beautiful Malice was really good, though not many people I know have read it no matter how many times I try to persuade them to. It's so nice to find a good Australian woman author. Her new novel Sweet Damage looks amazing and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.
8. Hannah Harrington
She's slowly earning more recognition and I think most people recognise her name for her amazing books Saving June and Speechless, but she is one of the best authors in YA Fiction and definitely deserves all the recognition she gets and more.
9. Adeline Yen Mah
For her book Chinese Cinderella that managed to make me cry.
10. Kristen Miller
The Eternal Ones was such a great book and more people need to read it, for goodness sakes.

That's it for this week, I hope you've enjoyed my list. Don't forget to comment what you thought of it and leave links to all your TTTs so that I can check them out. Please +1 this post if you thought it was worthy and subscribe if you want to read more of my TTTs and reviews. Thanks guys. :)

GOODREADS MEMBERS: Looking for people to connect with!

Hello everyone!
So, I've been on Goodreads for a while now, and I would love to connect with my bloggers that I'm always chatting with here! 
So if you're reading this and you've got a Goodreads account and you would like to be friends there, then all I ask is that you either click this link here to add me as a friend, or leave a link to your profile in the comments below so that I can add you. 
Thaaaaaank youuuuu! 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Best/Worst Movie Adaptions

Hello everyone! Sorry for missing a few TTTs these last couple of weeks, June has been a reeeeaaaally busy month for me, but I'm so excited for this post, this is one of my favourite topics, so here we go!
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week, we'll make a list of our top ten something* and this week, it's our Top Ten Best/Worst Movie Adaptions. I'm going to split it here and because I have hardly any that I dislike and more that I like, I'm going to list 8 of my best and 2 of my worst. 
*In no particular order

MY 8 BEST MOVIE ADAPTIONS
1. The Hunger Games (directed by Gary Ross, book written by Suzanne Collins)
I actually had the opportunity to see this movie at a midnight screening the night it was released and I was genuinely surprised with how much I enjoyed it. Prior to that, I had watched the trailer about 298458465 times and it never failed to give me chills of anticipation. 
IMDb Page
2. I Am Number Four (directed by D.J. Caruso, book written by Pittacus Lore)  
I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's an amazing story, a great book and a suspense-driven movie that followed it well.
IMDb Page
3. Life of Pi (directed by Ang Lee, book written by Yann Martel)
An amazing plot, I so enjoyed this story, both the book and the movie were incredible.
4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 & 2 (directed by David Yates, books written by J.K. Rowling)
Well, really.
IMDb Page (Part 1)
IMDb Page (Part 2)
5. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (directed by Bill Condon, books written by Stephanie Meyer)
I fell in love with Jacob's part of this book and really enjoyed the movie despite the negative attention it received at times. The fight scene at the end was incorporated really well into the movie, considering it didn't happen in the book, and that's why it's made it onto my list today.
IMDb Page
6. Charlotte's Web (directed by Gary Winick, book written by E.B. White)
The 2006 adaption was the best, I think. This book was one of my childhood favourites and the movie was pretty great too.
IMDb Page
7. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (directed by Stephen Chbosky, book written by Stephen Chbosky)
Loved the book, loved the movie. Enough said.
IMDb Page
8. A Walk to Remember (directed by Adam Shankman, book written by Nicholas Sparks)
I did a book and movie review on this, and I think it's safe to say that it was fairly positive. I  adored the movie and it made me want to read the book as a result, which I also adored! 
IMDb Page
MY 2 WORST MOVIE ADAPTIONS
1. Twilight (directed by Catherine Hardwicke, books written by Stephanie Meyer)
Need I say more?
IMDb Page
2. Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (directed by Brad Silberling, books written by Lemony Snicket)
I read these books when I was around 7 and loved them, but I hated that the film was just the first 3 books smushed together in one movie and that they never bothered to continue the series.
IMDb Page

That's all for this week, I hope you've enjoyed my list. Let me know some of your best and worst in the comments below, or leave me a link to your TTT so I can check it out. Remember to +1 this post if you think it's worthy and subscribe to me to see more of my reviews and future TTTs! 
Thanks guys. :)

PREVIOUS REVIEWS
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Review: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Title: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Walker Books
Year of Release: 2007
ISBN: 9781406307627
Source: Purchased (Myer, $14.95)*
Number of Pages: 448 

Summary (from Goodreads):When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . .

I was thinking about doing a book and movie review here, but I just really wanted to read and review this book before the movie was released, which I am so damn excited for! Maybe I'll update this post at a later date and add a movie review. This is such a good book, and I know I'm late jumping on the wagon with this fandom, so there's not really much I can say about this book that hasn't already been said, but here we go anyway.
This amazing book with it's incredible plot and story-line immediately demands your attention and requires a reader that pays close attention to detail - it's just that good. City of Bones will have even the most devoted of non-readers in it's grasp, with it's originally quirky, funny and intense story-line that is suited for people of all ages. 
There are few writers who are able to write fantasy novels and continue them as series with perfect precision; Emily Rodda and J.K. Rowling are two of them, and Cassandra Clare is another. 
Sit back with a cup of tea or coffee and watch the perfectly woven web Clare has created unravel and transform beneath your eyes, watch as every chapter opens you up to new secrets and shocking truths, watch as all of the pieces neatly fall into place once you reach the end. 
One of the things I loved most about this book was the diversity of the characters - from a gay guy, to a smart, nerdy boy, to a beautiful, jealousy-demanding woman, to an old wise man, to the smart, strong male fighter and finally, the courageous female heroine. These characters will evolve and develop as the story progresses, allowing you to witness their varying transformations from weak to strong, happy to broken, hate to love and back again, good to bad and bad to good. What's better, you'll actually care about the characters because they seem so real and authentic. They will leave you with your mouth hanging open!
Despite all of this, I think the one thing I loved most about City of Bones was that it was genuinely funny. This book will have you laughing outright from the sheer humour. 
Clary was kind of annoying when it came to the romance department though, all I really wanted her to do was open her eyes and see what was right in front of her, and maybe get nakey with Jace.
The only teeny weeny thing I can criticise this book on is that I wish certain terms had been explained properly as soon as they were mentioned, as this led to confusion. 
Rating:
5/5

On a side note, in case you've been living under a rock or something, this book has been made into a movie (yay!) and will be released in late August of this year. For all the details, check out it's official IMDb page.

And as a gift to you, here is the movie trailer for you to watch again (because I'm sure you've seen it before, winky face).

*Price relevant to Australian stores