City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

TITLE:  City of Heavenly Fire (Mortal Instruments #6)
AUTHOR:  Clare, Cassandra
GENRE:  Fiction/Fantasy

DATES READ:  6/6/2014 - 7/15/2014

MY RATING:  4.5/5

I can't believe I am finally starting the LAST Mortal Instruments book.  What a day!  I hope it's wonderful like the rest of the series has been.

Oh my goodness.  I cannot believe I finished it.  I'm going to miss all of the characters.  But after completing two of Clare's series, I think I'm done.

I kind of grew up with these characters, and adored their personalities, but I don't relate to them as must as I did before.  Maybe it's just because I'm a little older... their decisions seem more brash and unrealistic than they did before.

But I still love them all and will hold these stories dear.  I was blessed to have stumbled across them and will constantly continue to recommend them!

Will read and write soon!

***Photo by B. Bumble***

The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley

TITLE:  The Shadowy Horses
AUTHOR:  Kearsley, Susanna
GENRE:  Fiction

DATES READ:  5/28/2014 - 6/6/2014

MY RATING:  5/5

This is another book I purchased for my mom (for Mother's Day this time!), and she's lent to me.  She says it's lovely and I trust her judgment absolutely.

I have to say, I adored this story!!!  I remember purchasing this because we read another book by Kearsley called The Winter Sea.  If you love a good yarn spun with romance, history, and a little magic, Susanna Kearsley is a no-brainer.

This book had a wonderful mix of all of those attributes, in addition to eerie majestic settings, and a history as shadowy as the aforementioned horses.  I often felt, as I was reading,, this I was curled up in a cozy leather chair, drinking cocoa, and chatting with each of the main characters.  I can't wait to read another of her stories!

Will read and write soon!

***Photo by B. Bumble***

Eva Moves the Furniture by Margot Livesey

TITLE:  Eva Moves the Furniture
AUTHOR:  Livesey, Margot
GENRE:  Fiction

DATES READ:  5/25/2014 - 5/28/2014

MY RATING:  2/5

I saved this book from a mystery stash of books our family received from a friend.  I hope it's promising because I'm still a little shaken by The Fault In Our Stars.  Here goes...

A book is always promising before you turn the first page.  This book turned out to be a little "meh".  I didn't really feel a high connection with the main character, which is huge for me.  However, I understood and was drawn to where she was coming from.

The pace was overall slow, and the themes strongly surrounded loneliness and maternal abandonment.  I was a little difficult to get through at times, but the author depicted all emotions well.  I loved the idea and addition of ghosts in this lonely girl's world.  I almost found them reminiscent of imaginary friends.

I would recommend this book for a rainy day, and a warm cup of tea or cocoa.

Will read and write soon!

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The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

TITLE:  The Fault In Our Stars
AUTHOR:  Green, John
GENRE:  Fiction

DATES READ:  5/24/2014 - 5/25/2014

MY RATING:  4/5

I saw the movie preview for this story, and have been curious about it for some time now.  I want to make sure to read it before seeing the movie, but it looks extremely sad... here goes!

Wow.  My heart is wrenched after reading this.  It takes a lot for a book to make my cry.  And John Green has succeeded.  This story is both beautiful and stirs emotions you didn't even know you had.  You will fall in love with both Hazel and Augustus.  Their story is fleeting, tragic, fragile, and infinite.

Breath-taking, and bittersweet.  Recommended if you don't mind a tear or twenty.

Will read and write soon!

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Fragment by Warren Fahy

TITLE:  Fragment
AUTHOR:  Fahy, Warren
GENRE:  Fiction

DATES READ:  5/12/2014 - 5/24/2014

MY RATING:  4.5/5

This book came highly recommended by my sister-in-law, so I'm going to give it a try.  The cover related it to Jurassic Park, which is a favorite of mine.  I guess we shall see...

And the verdict is... What a BLAST to read!!!  This book was a rip-roaring good time!  I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, even though they were plentiful and one-note.  What really sold me was the imaginative environmental.  The creatures were chilling and fascinating to read about (and definitely reminiscent of Jurassic Park!).

I loved how all of the theories mentioned throughout the book came together in the end.  Even with all of the initial chaos, everything has it's place, and everything is in its place.

I would highly recommend this book as well.  Notably for anyone who loves science, thrilling adventure, and surprised.  It definitely kept me guessing until the end!

Will read and write soon!

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Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

TITLE:  Lost Lake
AUTHOR:  Allen, Sarah Addison
GENRE:  Fiction

DATES READ:  4/22/2014 - 5/10/2014

MY RATING:  4.5/5

I originally got this for my mom as a birthday present, and she just lent it to me after she finished.  In her words, "you have to read this".  And so I yield... :-)  I love sharing books.

I adored the plot of this story.  It was consistent with every Sarah Addison Allen book I've read (what can I say?  sometimes a write just rings true for you!).  I cared for each of the characters.  From Lisette, Elsy Pim (I mean her name, come on!!!), Selma, Buhladeen (again!), Wes, and Devin.  It's very rare for my to be able to keep so many characters resonating in my heart, and trust me... they're all there!  It's wonderful.

I fell in love with each character in his/her own way.  Mostly, the greatest character of all.  Lost Lake herself.

This is a book that will make you believe in second chances, and understanding in both love and loss.

Will read and write soon!

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Charming by Elliott James

TITLE:  Charming (Pax Arcana #1)
AUTHOR:  James, Elliott
GENRE:  Fantasy/Supernatural

DATES READ:  3/30/2014 - 4/22/2014

MY RATING:  2/5

I received this book from my sister-in-law for my birthday in 2013.  I can't believe I haven't picked it up until now.  Love the cover!!  I opened it and immediately got sucked into the story.

I'm not going to lie... there are quite a few cheesy/campy moments in this book.  Not an all-out cheese fest, but dangerously close.  I liked it overall, but when a book gets too "jokey", for lack of a better work, it's just not my style.

Sig was okay, but none of the characters seemed realistic at all.  I can appreciate this style of book, but it's not really my thing.  I would recommend this toward people who enjoy more sarcastic supernatural bits of fiction.  It's definitely for lovers of action, who enjoy the type of charm reserved for Ferris Bueller types who talk directly to the camera (reader).  A fun easy breezy read, just not my cup of tea.

Will read and write soon!

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