Jenn's Review: Clockwork Prince

Summary: In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

 Review:  Plenty of people told me that The Infernal Devices was even better than The Mortal Instruments but I didn't think it was possible.  How could it be?  I adored and couldn't put down The Mortal Instruments!  But truly, they were right.  I finished Clockwork Prince last week but I haven't been able to read anything else because I'm just not ready to move on.  I keep re-reading the last few chapters over and over again.  I dream about it at night.

This one was non-stop un-put-down-able.  (Look.  I'm so smitten I'm making up words.)  There is fantastic character development and incredible realizations.  Love triangles are so overdone, right?  This one knocks me off my feet every time I read (and re-read it).  And while I can't imagine myself in Tessa's place (unless loving my husband and Nathan Fillion counts), Ms. Clare makes it palpable.  The reader is right their with her.  Whatever I imagined Will's dark past to contain, I was only half right.  Ms. Clare made it far more dark and twisted than I could ever have conceived.  And Jem?  How could you not love Jem?  The more I know about Charlotte and Henry, the more I love them too.  And poor Sophie and Jessamine... life is not easy on either of them, when they both wish they could be what they are not.  It's also fabulous to see this whole other side of Magnus too; I'm actually quite interested to go back and re-read The Mortal Instruments just to see how my perspective regarding him has changed.

As for the plot, Cassandra Clare had me totally fooled again.  Or perhaps I just didn't want to believe it.  Most of it, I can't even discuss because I don't want to give anything away.  I will say that every time you think you've come to the bottom of the conspiracy, you realize you've only just scratched another layer off the surface.  We are no closer to discovering what Tessa is, or how she fits into the Magister's plans.  I have a guess, but I won't even hazard it, for trying to unravel Ms. Clare's plots before she is ready to reveal them is like trying to catch water in your fingers.  And the last page?  Blew.  Me.  Away.  

Cassandra Clare's work is one of the few things I must own in digital and hard cover.  (I wish publishers would give a discount when you want to own both; Ms. Clare, Ms. Rowling, Ms. Harkness and a few select others are going to bankrupt me.)  I can't believe I'll have to wait until March for the conclusion of  The Infernal Devices.  But don't be surprised if you find me re-reading her books along side whatever else I'm reading.  I am an addict, and I'm not afraid to admit it.

Final Take:  5/5

Children's Corner: A Hockey Story

Review: As we continue with my son's obsession with anything sports related, we found out that the author of A Baseball Story had another book called A Hockey Story. Our library didn't carry it but they were able to borrow it from another library. I can't tell you how excited he was when the library called us to come and get it.

 A Hockey Story is a wonderful book about how much hard work it is to play hockey. It goes into what you need to just get onto the ice in the form of equipment. It doesn't really explain the game in this book but it does stress the importance of teamwork. The illustrations are nicely done and flow well with the story.

It's a great introduction to a sport that can be wildly expensive and exciting.

Julie's Review: Honey on Your Mind

Summary: For Waverly Bryson, life is anything but boring! And never is that fact more evident than in Maria Murnane’s delightful third novel about the irrepressible heroine. This time around, Waverly faces a game-changing opportunity: an offer to turn her popular advice column into a regular guest spot on the new TV show Love, Wendy. It could be the break of a lifetime—but for a few not-so-minor details. For starters, Waverly’s acceptance of the job means moving clear across the country, giving up her rent-controlled apartment, and leaving behind her best friends McKenna and Andie. Oh, and there’s the fact that TV host extraordinaire Wendy Davenport is none-too-pleased by the prospect of Waverly usurping her broadcast throne. Then there’s Jake, Waverly’s boyfriend. He’s as crazy about her as ever. His mother, on the other hand? Not so much. But Waverly wouldn’t be Waverly if she didn’t tackle these challenges head on, with all the zeal, good humor, and, yes, occasional catastrophe that we’ve come to expect from “the American Bridget Jones.” Witty, light-hearted, and fun, Honey on Your Mind is Waverly Bryson at her best. ~amazon.com

Review: If you read this blog with any regularity you already know I'm a huge Waverly Bryson and Maria Murnane fan. I was so excited when I learned that the 3rd book in the series was set for release. Honey on Your Mind is the perfect summer time read. Grab it and a glass of your favorite wine or drink; curl up and enjoy Waverly and her NYC adventure.

Waverly is easy to love and to root for. It's easy to see yourself, a friend or a sister in her. She's a girl's girl. Moving to New York City for a new adventure bringing her Honey on Your Mind column to life during a talk show called Love, Wendy. She's extra nervous because when she met the host Wendy back when they did a segment on The Today Show, she wasn't exactly warm and kind to Waverly. At least Waverly and her hunk of a boyfriend, Jake will be in the same time zone now and make it a bit easier on their relationship.

As always, Waverly finds herself thick in the drama of a love situation with one of her friends. This time though, she's learning to at least not directly stick her nose into it. I love seeing Waverly grow. This move was out of her comfort zone and she approached it head on and with gusto.

There's always a wonderful set of supporting characters in these novels and here we are introduced to some new ones and to some old friends. Waverly has a wonderful support system in her friends McKenna and Andie. Not to mention her dad who perhaps has found the person to make him happy after years of being on his own. She also has a great support system in NYC with her friends Scotty, Kristina and Shane.

Jake deserves his own paragraph. The man is hot. If Hollywood comes calling could they please cast Bradley Cooper?!!!! Not only is he good looking but he's got a good heart and the patience of a saint. He understands Waverly and her quirks, her insecurities.

I know that some of the anecdotes in the novels are straight from Maria's life but for the most part they are embellished. I can't wait to see what Maria comes up with next for Waverly. Whatever it is, I'll be there waiting to read it.

Final Take: 5/5

Perfect on Paper (book 1) review
It's a Waverly Life (book 2) review

Jenn's Review: A Raging Storm

Summary:  Days after being brought out of retirement to investigate a kidnapping, Derrick Storm has a dead US senator on his hands, an assassin to track down, and nearly six billion dollars' worth of gold bars--hidden by the Communist Party somewhere in the former USSR--to uncover. Teaming up again with FBI agent April Showers, Storm must talk to Ivan Petrov, a secretive millionaire who has ties to the assassination, coordinates for the gold, and a mole leaking information to the Russian government from within his inner circle. And while the CIA mission is getting heated, it's nothing compared to the growing sexual tension between Storm and Showers...

Review:  I have been missing Castle a lot this summer. Usually I just start re-watching my DVDs but my television time has been greatly reduced this summer so reading these little short stories from 'Richard Castle' help ease the ache. Even though these stories revolve around Derrick Storm, Castle's series prior to Nikki Heat, it is a lovely morsel of the Castle lore from the writers.  In fact, you can actually hear Castle's voice in Derrick Storm.

As for A Raging Storm, this brings us a little closer to the heart of the investigation that Storm has been hauled out of retirement for. The cold war may be over, but the spy game is still on. Storm uncovers what his boss has been concealing and now he must continue the investigation without reading in Agent Showers or drawing her into his world. 

I was glad to start getting into the meat of the story, and get a little more character development. We were also left with a huge cliff-hanger  These short stories are lovely little diversions and I look forward to the final installment, A Bloody Storm, due out next week. 

Final Take:  4/5
   

Giveaway: The Crossing Places

Today we collectively reviewed Elly Griffiths' The Crossing Places, and now here is your chance to win it!

All anyone (18 or over who is a resident of the US or Canada) need do to enter is fill out the form below by midnight EST on August 8, 2012.  

Good luck! 

 Our Giveaway Policy

Group Review: The Crossing Places

Summary:  When she’s not digging up bones or other ancient objects, quirky, tart-tongued archaeologist Ruth Galloway lives happily alone in a remote area called Saltmarsh near Norfolk, land that was sacred to its Iron Age inhabitants - not quite earth, not quite sea.

When a child’s bones are found on a desolate beach nearby, Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson calls Galloway for help. Nelson thinks he has found the remains of Lucy Downey, a little girl who went missing ten years ago. Since her disappearance he has been receiving bizarre letters about her, letters with references to ritual and sacrifice.

The bones actually turn out to be two thousand years old, but Ruth is soon drawn into the Lucy Downey case and into the mind of the letter writer, who seems to have both archaeological knowledge and eerie psychic powers. Then another child goes missing and the hunt is on to find her. As the letter writer moves closer and the windswept Norfolk landscape exerts its power, Ruth finds herself in completely new territory – and in serious danger. ~ amazon.com

Alice's Review:  At the rate that I had been reading lately, I think it is safe to say it has been a while since I finished a book in 2 days. Yet here I was, wrapped up in Ruth’s world, wondering who was murdered these young girls, developing a mild interest in archaeology, and yes, I have added North Norfolk England to my bucket list of places to visit.  I was as enamored with the Saltmarsh as the woman who lived there. 

One of the reasons I really enjoyed Ruth’s company is I can relate to her.  I know nothing of archeology, but I know what it is like to push 40 as a childless woman.  I know the feeling of being left out of the mother’s club, of being told I will never appreciate my mother because I don’t have children of my own.  Like Ruth, I had a life changing moment that made me realize that last criticism is a bunch of malarkey.  I can’t write enough about how much I liked Ruth.  Through all that happened to her, she never played the victim.  She was smart, fearless, quick-witted and sincere.  She was passionate about her work and not afraid of the choices she made and the woman she is.  To Ms. Griffiths’ credit, she created a woman whom I will continue to follow.  I want to know what happens to her next. 

Ruth Galloway isn’t the only enjoyable character in The Crossing Places.  I quite enjoyed Harry Nelson.  Okay, fine, I have a mad literary crush on him.  And thanks to his wife, I can only picture him being played by George Clooney.   He is rough around the edges, but he’s resilient and he doesn’t give up.  My other favorite character in this novel is Cathbad.  Oh, man, he made me laugh.  I can only hope that he comes back in future books.  Is he a geek?  Oh yes.  Is he intelligent?  Yes again.  Is he the comic relief in this novel?  Absolutely.  He brought a touch of humor when one was needed.

The story moves quickly.  There were a couple of plot twists and turns I did not expect.  In the same token, there were a couple I guessed in advance.  Even so, this didn’t deter me from absolutely loving this the novel.  I must commend Ms. Griffiths’ for the way she handled the story of child abduction and murder.  She wrote the perspectives of the girls’ parents, Ruth and Nelson with compassion, caring, and understanding.  I felt it was earnest and touching. 

Thanks to Jenn and Elly Griffiths, I am now a Ruth Galloway fan and look forward to reading more.

Final Take: 5/5


Jenn's Review: There was a fair bit of buzz surrounding this novel when it was first published in the US.  I'm no stranger to importing books from the UK (I own English versions of Meg Gardiner's novels as well as J.K. Rowling's) and here was a new forensic archaeologist series already imported for me!  It really seemed too good to pass up.

Elly Griffiths has written an entertaining, fast paced mystery.  I found myself easily gliding through the pages and read it in a day.  Having read almost every Kathy Reichs novel I was more than a little startled by the differences between a forensic anthropologist and a forensic archaeologist.  The speculation was killing me and I surprise myself by saying that I honestly missed the lab and the analysis of the bones.  The other thing that I had trouble getting used to was that the novel is written in the third person, present tense which I found jarring.  Every time I thought I'd gotten used to it, I'd find myself distracted by it all over again, because in truth, I'd just been converting everything to past tense as I read.  I think Ms. Griffiths intended for the voice to give it a sense of immediacy, but I found it disruptive.

The characters are likable, if not slightly stereotypical.  While I didn't dislike Ruth, I wasn't enamored with her either.  Actually, none of the characters were particularly memorable for me, perhaps because the present tense limited their development.  The biggest disappointment was that I picked the culprit about 50 pages in and no matter how many twists and turns Ms. Griffiths threw in, she did not shake me from my convictions.  I'm also not quite sure how I feel about the final personal plot twist for Ruth.

Despite my criticisms, this was an enjoyable read.  This is Elly Griffiths debut novel and I think my expectations were too high.  It will be interesting to see how the series grows with her.   Will I continue reading the Ruth Galloway mysteries?  Probably.  It makes for a perfect light mystery read.

Final Take:  3.75/5



Julie's Review: I wasn't sure what to expect with this book being a fan of Kathy Reichs' Temperance Brennan books, I didn't want it to be similar. Yes I know forensic anthropology is different than forensic archeology but they they are scientific and yes that stuff can go over my head if it's too detailed. I have to say that this is not the case with The Crossing Places. Ms. Griffiths keeps it simple even without making you feel like you are being talked down to in any way. It was an solid introduction to what will probably turn out to be another great forensic series.

I have to admit that at times Ruth got on my nerves. It wasn't so much that she was whining, because it wasn't that, it was more like she kept second guessing herself in her personal life.  I get it we all do that, but I felt like she kept singing the same tune throughout the book and it got under my skin. I want Ruth to be happy and to be decisive. I want her to use her decisiveness from her work into her personal life.

What really hooked me into the book was the mystery surrounding the abduction of Lucy Downey and then of Scarlet Henderson. You want to know if the girls are all right and if they will be rescued.

Ms. Griffiths does an excellent job of placing "red herrings" within the novel. You think you have it figured out but then she reveals something else that makes you stop and rework your thoughts.

I really loved Harry Nelson. He was rough and gruff but he really wanted to find Lucy and Scarlet. Lucy was a case that had been haunting him for 10 years. He wanted closure for himself, her parents and perhaps Lucy. He had been put through the ringer and having another missing girl wasn't helping his status either.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and commend Jenn on another good pick. Will I be rushing out to finish the series? Not immediately, but I will get around to it at some point in the future.



Final Take: 3.75/5