(c) Photo by Holly Heartagram

The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

Pages: 320

Book Synopsis:

IT'S NOT EVERYDAY YOU FIND YOURSELF IN COMBAT WITH A HALF-LION, HALF-HUMAN.

But when you're the son of a Greek god, it happens. And now my friend Annabeth is missing, a goddess is in chains and only five half-blood heroes can join the quest to defeat the doomsday monster.

Oh, and guess what? The Oracle has predicted that not all of us will survive...

My Review:

Once again I cannot express how mad I am at myself for not reading this book series much sooner in my life!

'The Titan's curse' is the third book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and yet again Rick Riordan did not disappoint.  This book is action packed, full of monsters and challenges our young half-blood heroes have to overcome.

In this book we are introduced to a few new demi-gods my favorites of course being Nico Di Angelo and his sister Bianca Di Angelo. After being rescued from a private school in the middle of no where these two take us on quite the adventure when Bianca decides to join Artemis and her hunters making her an immortal who helps the goddess Artemis track down and kill monsters all over the world. Nico obviously does not handle this news too well and it makes it even worse when once they all arrive back at camp they receive a new quest prophecy which involves Bianca leaving Nico behind at Camp Half-Blood.

Our main character Percy is also left out of this new prophecy but decides to leave camp after one of his best friends and possible love interest, Annabeth, goes missing. There are a lot of new monsters as well as gods in this book which keeps it all very interesting. For me personally my favorite god in this book was Apollo who's haiku's are so awful but somehow he remains charming and very funny even though this book gets quite serious at times.

Overall I really enjoyed 'The Titan's Curse.' This book makes for a very quick and entertaining read and I honestly cannot wait to see what happens next! My plan is to finish this series by the end of the year and then jump right into Rick Riordan's next series, 'The Hero's of Olympus' because I've heard nothing but amazing things about it!

My Rating:

My November TBR 

 (c) Photo by  Holly Heartagram

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

The Battle of The Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

The Goddess Test by Aime Carter

Be sure to follow me on Goodreads to keep up with my progress

(c) Photo by Holly Heartagram

                                          ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

White Hot Kiss By Jennifer L. Armentrout

Pages: 400 pages

Book Synopsis:

One kiss could be the last. 

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses. 

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever. 

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul. 

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne… it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

My Review:

When I hear the word Gargoyles my mind automatically goes to the  show 'Gargoyles' that used to play on TV when I was a kid. However 'White Hot Kiss' is quite different from that show especially because of the resident bad boy Roth.

Roth is a sarcastic but yet very charming young upper level demon who makes our main character Layla's world turn completely upside down when he reveals some secrets about her true heritage. Layla knows that she is part demon and part warden but what she doesn't know can and ultimately will hurt her and the ones she loves. 

This story had me on the edge of my seat the entire read! The paranormal aspect of this book is really amazing because there are so many  different forms of demons that you literally just had no idea what demon the author was going to throw at our main character Layla next. Of course the love triangle in 'White Hot Kiss' is completely drool worthy because not only do we have Roth, the very sexy demon, but also because of Zayne, the irresistible Gargoyle. Obviously it's no shock as to which love interest I prefer more since I cannot help but to love the bad boys.

Overall this book was phenomenal and I can honestly say that I love this book more than the 'Lux' series also by Jennifer L. Armentrout.  I think Jennifer's stories are great, yes they all have these love triangles between two swoon worthy boys but I appreciate how her paranormal aspects to her books are very different from most of the other trending Paranormal Romance books out there. 

I cannot wait to get my hands of the rest of the books in this series! Also be warned of the ending to this first book because it is very heart wrenching to say the least!

My Rating:

Title: The Iron Trial
Author: Cassandra Clare and Holly Black
Pages: 299 pages

Book Synopsis:
Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial.

Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail.

All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him.

So he tries his best to do his worst - and fails at failing.

Now the Magisterium awaits him. It's a place that's both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future.

The Iron Trial is just the beginning, for the biggest test is still to come . . .


My Review:

          First thing you need to know about 'The Iron Trial' by Cassandra Clare and Holly Black is that it is in fact a children's novel. I starting reading this book with that expectation in mind and I was not disappointed.

         'The Iron Trial' is about a young man name Call who has been taught his whole life that magic is dangerous and very bad and that he should try with all his might to fail The Iron Trial so that he is not sent to the Magisterium to be trained to become a mage. But somehow by trying to fail Call proves that he should be trained in the Magisterium and he opens himself up to a whole new world full of wonderful and amazing elemental magic.

       A lot of people have been comparing this book to 'Harry Potter' however as a huge 'Harry Potter' fan myself I just don't see that at all. The Iron Trial is more about Elemental magic which is the most interesting part of the book if you ask me. Meaning that each and every mage can only specialize in one kind of elemental magic.

       I honestly really enjoyed this book and for me personally it was a very short read. The book itself is only 299 pages and very action packed with lots of plot twists. It's everything you would expect from a book written by two of the most amazing authors of our time.


My Rating:

Title: The Bane Chronicles
Author: Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan & Maureen Johnson
Pages: 518 pages

Book Synopsis: 
Fans of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices can get to know warlock Magnus Bane like never before in this collection of New York Times bestselling tales, in print for the first time with an exclusive new story and illustrated material.

This collection of eleven short stories illuminates the life of the enigmatic Magnus Bane, whose alluring personality, flamboyant style, and sharp wit populate the pages of the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices.

Originally released one-by-one as e-only short stories by Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson, and Sarah Rees Brennan, this compilation presents all ten together in print for the first time and includes a never-before-seen eleventh tale, as well as new illustrated material.

My Review:

         Once again I've found myself in a state of having withdrawal symptoms from one of my favorite fandom worlds. So I decided the best way to cure these symptoms was to dive right back into the Downworlder's realm by reading all of the short stories about my favorite Warlock, Magnus Bane.

         The Bane Chronicles is a compilation of a few short stories all about the amazing High Warlock of Brooklyn, Magnus Bane. Magnus as most of us know at this point is one of the most important Downworlders in 'The Mortal Instruments' and 'The Infernal Devices' series. 

       In these short stories we began to understand Magnus's character a lot more as we are given an even closer glimpse at the amazing warlock. In these stories we are taken on a roller coaster of events over the span of Magnus's immortal lifetime and encounter a lot of new characters as well as some beloved well known characters. 

      Once I started this book I could not put it down! Scenes from 'The Mortal Instruments' and 'The Infernal Devices' Series are relived through the eyes of Magnus and give you even more reasons to love and adore his complex character. Overall this is a fantastic must read for any Cassandra Clare fan and I recommend it highly!

My Rating:

Title: Revolution
Author: Jennifer Donnelly
Pages: 472 pages

Book Synopsis
BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.
 
PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.
 
Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.


My Review:

Viva La Revolution!!

I cannot believe I did not read this book sooner! Revolution is the incredible story about Andi a young girl in private school who's life seems to be falling apart in the worst kind of ways. She suffers from severe depression after losing her younger brother in a tragic accident. Her father who had since remarried and moved on with his life sees how bad her home life has become and comes to take her away to Paris so she can focus on her end of term paper and get into a good college. While away in Paris she strikes up a deal with her father that if she can write her paper by the end of the week he will let her go home. Everything is going great until Andi discovers a diary in an old guitar case written by a girl who lived during the French Revolution.

Alexandrine was a young woman who was employed by the King and Queen of France at the time to entertain their young son Louis-Charles. For those of you who are not familiar with that story Louis-Charles is the son of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. During the Revolution Louis-Charles was captured by the revolutionaries while his family was trying to flee from the castle they were being held captive in for three long years. Louis-Charles was then taken from his family and eventually thrown into a prison tower where he was basically left to die. Louis-Charles was only ten years old when he died but his body disappeared and so many people were convinced he got away while others did not think he was as lucky.

- Louis-Charles aka Louis XVII

Revolution will absolutely make you go through all the feels! I love this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Historical Fiction!

My Rating:

Title: Jackaby
Author: William Ritter
Pages: 299 pages

Book Synopsis:
“Miss Rook, I am not an occultist,” Jackaby said. “I have a gift that allows me to see truth where others see the illusion--and there are many illusions. All the world’s a stage, as they say, and I seem to have the only seat in the house with a view behind the curtain.”

Newly arrived in New Fiddleham, New England, 1892, and in need of a job, Abigail Rook meets R. F. Jackaby, an investigator of the unexplained with a keen eye for the extraordinary--including the ability to see supernatural beings. Abigail has a gift for noticing ordinary but important details, which makes her perfect for the position of Jackaby’s assistant. On her first day, Abigail finds herself in the midst of a thrilling case: A serial killer is on the loose. The police are convinced it’s an ordinary villain, but Jackaby is certain it’s a nonhuman creature, whose existence the police--with the exception of a handsome young detective named Charlie Cane--deny.


My Review:

A Very Thrilling and Exciting Adventure with lots of Paranormal action!

I'm going to be quite honest and say that the main reason that I picked this book up was because of a review that was done and it compared this book to Doctor Who and Sherlock (BBC TV Show). I simply could not pass that up so I picked up a copy of this book and I was not disappointed.

'Jackaby' is about a young woman named Abigail who has runaway from home to escape her parents from marrying her off and depriving her of the adventure in life that she has been desperately searching for. Abigail soon travels across the seas to New England and finds Jacakby, an investigator of sorts who is looking for someone to work as his assistant . Abigail having no luck in finding any other jobs soon finds herself on Jackaby's doorstep from which he leads her straight to a horrific murder scene. A murder that Jackaby is quite certain was committed by something that is not human.

Set in 1892 this book has many historical aspects to it which I love as well as a very gripping story that had me guessing until the very end. For a debut novel this is amazing and I cannot wait to read the sequel 'Beastly Bones' which is scheduled to release in September of this year.

“That the battles are usually in her head does not lessen the bravery of it. The hardest ones always are.” 

My Rating:

Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
Pages: 213

Book Synopsis:
Charlie is a freshman.

And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it.

Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But he can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.


My Review:

I'm honestly ashamed to say that I had never read this book before until now.

'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' is one of the most touching and beautiful stories I have ever read! Charlie is a young man who is just entering high school. He does not have many friends and is quite lonely but he puts himself out there anyway because he is determined to make his life better. In doing so we see Charlie going through many different emotions and phases of himself and I must say it is truly moving.

My favorite character of this book is Patrick who is a very dramatic and exciting character who brightens up almost every chapter he is featured in. Patrick has a big personality and big heart and decides to befriend Charlie and take him under his wing. In dong so Patrick changes Charlie's life forever.

This book made me go through all of the feels. I found myself laughing at all of the jokes between the characters and crying through all the sad and rough parts of the books.

One thing I didn't really like about this book is the fact that Charlie our main character is struggling with some mental issues which are never fully explained in the book. I found that after I watched the movie (which was directed by Stephen Chbosky) that I understood the overall message of the book much better. I also understood Charlie a lot better after watching the movie.

But this book is a classic and I think everyone should read it just once in their lives.

“And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.” 

My Rating:

Title: Bloody Cross Vol.2
Author: Shiwo Komeyama
Pages: 224

Book Synopsis:
Tsukimiya and Hinata thought they had secured at last the divine power of God that will allow them to break their deadly curse, but they and Tsuzuki are not the only ones after the power. Even as Tsuzuki collects the power that will fuel his ascent to omnipotence, there is one who would see him brought crashing back to Earth. As both sides race toward the prize, Tsuzuki calls on the half-bloods Tsukimiya and Hinata to join the hunt and prevent the power from falling into dark hands…




My Review:

So MUCH Action!

'Bloody Cross' Vol 2 was much more easier to understand. The story started out great and did not get crazy and confusing about halfway through like the first Vol did for me. I love all the new characters although the one thing that is still quite confusing are the alliances between the characters. I can never tell which person is working for who.

The artwork in this book just like the first was absolutely stunning! The story line was very action packed and had me hooked from the opening scene. I honestly really enjoy this series and I look forward to reading all the next couple books in this series!!

MoMose is by far my favorite character. I mean she is a cat demon for heaven sakes and we all know how much I love Cats! Not only that but MoMose has very cool powers and can even shape shift into other people and demons! She is amazingly badass and is almost always underestimated by other characters in the series which is usually quite a bad mistake on their part.

I'm so excited to read the next book in this series!

My Rating:

 Title: The Spiritglass Charade
Author: Colleen Gleason
Pages: 360

Book Synopsis:
After the Affair of the Clockwork Scarab, Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes are eager to help Princess Alix with a new case. Seventeen-year-old Willa Aston is obsessed with spiritual mediums, convinced she is speaking with her mother from beyond the grave. What seems like a case of spiritualist fraud quickly devolves into something far more menacing: someone is trying to make Willa "appear lunatic," using an innocent-looking spiritglass to control her. The list of clues piles up: an unexpected murder, a gang of pickpockets, and the return of vampires to London. But are these events connected? As Uncle Sherlock would say, "there are no coincidences." It will take all of Mina's wit and Evaline's muscle to keep London's sinister underground at bay.

My Review:

An Epic sequel to 'The Clockwork Scarab'

This book picks up right where 'The Clockwork Scarab' leaves off except there is A LOT more action and amazing new clockwork inventions! In this book Evaline and Mina find that they have been hand picked by the Princess to investigate Willa Aston a young woman who is now captivated with Seances and mediums because she is convinced her dead mother is trying to speak to her.

In 'The Spiritglass Charade' we finally get to see Evaline Stoker in action as real vampires finally make their first appearance in this book! Not only that but we get to spend much more time with a certain master of disguise and man of mystery, Pix. Pix is by far my favorite character of this series he is so mysterious and always up to no good. I just adore his character he is sarcastic, witty and all around a great guy.

Another really awesome thing about this book are the new clockwork creations. There is this one scene I recall in the book where Evaline and Mina join a group of people to go visit the new botanical gardens and inside are clockwork stairs that move them around to different layers of the gardens, as well as some amazing clockwork creatures!

                                            Image Found on Google Image Search.


Of course another thing about this book that I truly enjoyed was getting to know Inspector Grayling a bit more. He seems to always be following the girls around making sure that they are not getting into too much trouble. Not to mention the little basset hound he rescues in this book that now follows him around with a clockwork leg. I am really hoping that a romance of some kind sparks between him and Mina although she seems to have her sights set on Dylan.

Dylan for the most part of this book was no where to be found until the last few chapters which proved how amazing of a character he is. I really hope for time travel to be a bigger part of the story in the next few books because who doesn't want to see Evaline and Mina go into the future? Plus Dylan really needs to go home so Mina and Inspector Grayling can work on getting some kind of romance going between them!

This whole book was just so enjoyable and I am so stoked for the next one!
...No pun intended ;)


My Rating:

Title: The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle
Author: L.J. Smith
Pages: 278

Book Synopsis:

This is the terrifying story of two vampire brothers and the beautiful girl torn between them: Damon: determined to make Elena his queen of darkness, he'd kill his own brother to possess her.Stefan: desperate for the power to destroy Damon, he succumbs to his thirst for human blood.Elena: irresistibly drawn to both brothers, her choice will decide their fate.





My Review:

TEAM DAMON!!!

The second book in the Vampire Diaries Series was much easier for me to get through. I think that has EVERYTHING to do with Damon finally being a big part of this book. Anytime the wonderful Damon made an appearance in this book I found myself unable to put the book down. Damon on the the TV show may be bad, but he has nothing on the Damon in the book series.

The Damon in the book series is truly hell bent on getting revenge on his younger brother and making his life a living hell and he has decided to do that by stealing Elena from him. Not that Elena puts up much of a fight to prevent this but honestly can you blame her? Elena ends up becoming allies with Damon towards the end of the book to prevent something terrible from happening to Stefan but in doing so she has to do a favor for Damon.

The second book is by far my favorite book thus far in the series and especially with that cliff hanger ending!! It was fantastic and I cannot wait to read the next book!!

My Rating:

Title: The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening
Author: L.J. Smith
Pages: 276 Pages

Book Synopsis:
A Love Triangle of Unspeakable Horror...

Elena
Searching for the ultimate thrill, she vowed to have Stefan.

Stefan
Haunted by his tragic past, he struggled to resist her passion.

Damon
Driven by revenge, he hunted the brother who betrayed him.

The terrifying story of two vampire brothers and the beautiful girl torn between them.


My Review:

Warning to Anyone who intends to read this series: DO NOT WATCH THE TV SHOW FIRST!

I made the terrible mistake of starting the TV show before reading this series and it made it so hard get through because I found myself comparing the two together constantly. The thing you have to understand about this book is that it was written in 1991 so the differences between the book and the TV show are quite drastic.

Honestly it's almost as if the show took the names out of the book and then changed the rest except for the epic love triangle which at some points get to be quite ANNOYING. First thing you should know is I'm totally bias towards Damon. He is that tall, dark and handsome bad boy that I go absolutely stupid for and apparently so does our main character Elena.

Then there's Stefan the mysterious, quiet and brooding younger brother who is a hopeless romantic over our main character Elena. Don't get me wrong he's cute too in his own way but I'd much rather prefer Damon to Stefan any day.

This first book took me a bit longer to get through not only because of the differences between the TV show and the book but also because my favorite character Damon does not make an appearance until the very last chapter of the book. Also another reason it took me so long to get through is because I really do not like Elena's personality in the books. In the book she is a stuck up popular twit and the whole book I kept thinking Elena was Caroline from the TVD TV show.

Overall I enjoyed this book but I honestly recommend reading the book series first before you watch the TV show because I am absolutely in love with the TV show and at this point in time I prefer it over the Book series so far.

My Rating:

Title: Fairest
Author: Marissa Meyer
Pages: 222

Book Synopsis:
Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?

Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now. 

Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series.


My Review:

If you thought Queen Levana was heartless in the Lunar Chronicles just wait until you finish reading Fairest.

I honestly thought I would come out of this book with a better appreciation and respect for Levana. In fact I thought I even might like her character after reading this book but that was just not the case at ALL.

Before Levana becomes Queen we see her go through an extremely troubled Childhood. Her parents die when she is young and her bully sister takes over as Queen who makes Levana's life a living hell at every given opportunity she gets.

The story overall is just tragic and very depressing in my opinion. I want to feel bad for Levana but after all the choices she makes as she grows up it only leaves me with a hatred for her which I've never felt before towards any character.

However this book has left me extremely excited for Winter. I cannot wait to see what direction Meyer is planning on taking with this final installment of the Lunar Chronicles. I can only hope that we at least get a huge Show down between Cinder and Queen Levana because face it that'd only be fair!

My Rating:

Title: Her Dark Curiosity
Author: Megan Shepherd
Pages:  420 pages

Book Synopsis:
To defeat the darkness, she must first embrace it.

Months have passed since Juliet Moreau returned to civilization after escaping her father's island—and the secrets she left behind. Now, back in London once more, she is rebuilding the life she once knew and trying to forget Dr. Moreau’s horrific legacy—though someone, or something, hasn’t forgotten her.

As people close to Juliet fall victim one by one to a murderer who leaves a macabre calling card of three clawlike slashes, Juliet fears one of her father’s creations may have also escaped the island. She is determined to find the killer before Scotland Yard does, though it means awakening sides of herself she had thought long banished, and facing loves from her past she never expected to see again.

As Juliet strives to stop a killer while searching for a serum to cure her own worsening illness, she finds herself once more in the midst of a world of scandal and danger. Her heart torn in two, past bubbling to the surface, life threatened by an obsessive killer—Juliet will be lucky to escape alive.

My Review:

I am so in love with this series!!

The second book starts up with Juliet trying to adapt to a normal life in London. She is trying her best to put the past behind her and forget everything that happened on her father's island which is proving to be very difficult after leaving so much behind. 

Juliet soon finds herself with much bigger problems on her hands as the serum which she has been using for years to keep her illness in check suddenly begins to fail. Meanwhile a violent serial killer suddenly begins to wreck havoc upon London killing many people who are close or have had contact with Juliet in one way or the other. Juliet soon begins to fear that the killer may be an escaped creature from her father's island when the Killer suddenly begins to leave mysterious flowers on the bodies, Flowers that grew on her father's island. 

This book had me on the edge of my seat until the very end. I had no idea what to expect. There were so many plot twists and surprises that it left me wanting more! This book continues with the Classic Gothic Novel feel to it which I simply adore!!

I cannot wait to get my hands on the third and final book in the series because this book series has been my favorite read of 2015 so far!

My Rating: