Mini Reviews #1

This is the first time I've done a collection of short reviews (I've seen lots of folks do these and call them all kinds of cute things, so just be aware that I am not the originator of the idea, but I'm not sure who exactly inspired it).  It really is a hodge podge of books that I've just not got a lot to say about.  I've also taken Kristen's suggestion to write a five-word description instead of a summary.  But I bent it to a sentence, cause I'm not that amazing.  Hard, but rather freeing.  


Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee
Source: Library

Two best friends embark on adventures armed with imagination and roller skates.

My thoughts: Cute, love the illustrations, and it totally reminded me of myself and my best friend in grade school - she was more than a foot taller than me too.  Lots of fun for those just learning to read chapter books.
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The Tale of Despereaux by kate DiCamillo
Source: Audio from library

Unusually courageous mouse rescues soup-deprived princess.

My thoughts: This story never fails to entertain me.  My husband and I listened to it on a road trip and he loved it too (surprisingly).  It has quirky characters, a fun and unusual story, and lots of heart and soul.  Worth the read or the listen, especially for kids.
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City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Source: Library

The aftermath of war can be just as treacherous with rocky relationships and unexpected enemies.

My thoughts: I'm not going to lie, I enjoyed the Mortal Instruments book, despite all of its flaws, but this just seemed superfluous.  I got tired of the stretching out of Jace and Clary's up and down relationship and the plot was just unbelievably all over the place.  The series was better without it.
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The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
Source: Audio from library

Seventh son of a seventh son seeks the signs that will aid in an ancient battle of good and evil.

My thoughts: This is an all-time fantasy favorite.  The story never fails to entertain me and listening to it on audio was just as good (again, my husband was really interested in it and he is hard to please).  I just love how complex the story is and how amazingly the fantasy details are woven with real life.  A classic tale.
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Cahoots by Karla Oceanak
Source: Review copy from publisher

Aldo attempts to survive his summer on a farm without electronic devices.

My thoughts: It's a fun romp filled with humor and kid-friendly drawings.  It will appeal to fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries, though Aldo is no Greg Huffley.  Still, his summer adventures will delight and hopefully educate tweens who can't seem to get enough drawing-filled diary books.

Any thoughts on these?

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Book Review: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

City of Glasscompletes the story of Clary and Jace as they face off against their father Valentine and his plans to destroy the entire clave. Can shadowhunters overcome their hatred for downworlders before both of them lose to Valentine?

I really enjoyed this series (first two books reviewed here and here). It had action, romance, and twists and turns throughout. While I actually saw the big surprise a long way off (which may have been Clare's intention), I didn't lose interest in the story for a moment. The conclusion is satisfying and the descriptive writing is beautiful. I was really impressed that Clare wrote such a compelling teen story in the popular urban fantasty style with so little mrg-content. She proves very well that it can be done.

Read-alikes:
Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
Twilightseries by Stephenie Meyer
a bit like A Great and Terrible Beautyand sequels by Libba Bray

RATINGS:
s-factor: !@
Remarkably few for the type of book it is.

mrg-factor: X
There were a few suggestive parts, but they stayed simply suggestive, nothing more.

v-factor: ->->
There is some violence and fighting described, not in detail.

Overall rating: *****

And don't forget to enter to win a signed copy of Fablehaven by Brandon Mull!

Book Review: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Description of City of Ashesfrom Amazon:

"Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go -- especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil -- and also her father. To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings -- and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?"

I loved this sequel almost more than the first book, City of Bones (reviewed here). The characters are engaging and the dialog often witty. It is an adventure throughout with a few twists and surprises. It is a very satisfying urban fantasy, similar in feel to the Wicked Lovely books (see here and here), though I liked this one a lot better. I can't wait to get my hands on the final book, City of Glass, which was just released.

RATINGS:
s-factor: !@
Teenagers.

mrg-factor: X
A few very mild references.

v-factor: ->->->
It is pretty violent, lots of action sequences.

Overall rating: ****

You still have time to enter my Ranger's Apprentice ARC giveaway: go here.

Book Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

City of Bonesunravels the story of Clary, a seemingly ordinary girl who discovers she can see beings that others can't. She is drawn into a world of half-humans when her mother is kidnapped by a demon and she must find a way to save her. She receives help from Jace, a shadowhunter or demon-killer, who seems to be able to hold his own against all kinds of frightening creatures - vampires, werewolves, faeries, and demons. She also unwittingly involves her mundane (human) friend Simon in this world of danger. Will she be able to discover what her mother's kidnapper seeks before it is too late? Will she be able to accept the truth about her own past?

This book, despite its bare-chested cover, was really interesting. I found the adventures satisfying, even if sometimes they seemed contrived to fill pages. The excitement and anticipation of events kept me turning pages all day. There were quite a few twists and turns, some of them more obvious than others. I was thrilled to know there are sequels, however, because I really want to know what happens to the characters!

RATINGS:
s-factor: !@
Scattered throughout, but not overwhelming.

mrg-factor: X
Just kissing (surprisingly clean for a YA novel).

v-factor: ->->->
There is killing and fighting.

Overall rating: ****