The Mortal Instruments: City Of Ashes

Let's just say I was kinda obsessive when I started to read the second book of The Mortal Instruments named City Of Ashes. I finished in less than a day (yeah, that bad). From the first page, I was hooked and I decided that nothing could stop me until I finished the book. Then when I finished, I wanted to pull my hair put in anxiety because I didn't have the third book to start reading right away.
The tension excels for the character in this book, with Clary's mother still in a coma and her fragile relationships progress with Simon, her best friend that's in love with her, and Jace, well that's a whole complex story in itself.
With Clary still not accustomed to the shadow hunter way of life, she is sometimes a liability instead of an asset. No worries, we see some real cleverness come from her and a fair few fight sequences.
In this book, the main characters are developed more in depth and new characters are introduced. I couldn't choose who was my favourite character in this book..Clary was cool, Isabelle was kick ass(as always), Jace a badass, Luke was kindhearted man, Max was a little sweetheart, Magnus... Well, he is just Magnus, and then there's the always completely loyal Simon. They all are unique in different ways. I love them all. Cassie writes them beautifully.
We see the same fast paced and energetic action sequences in the book, the same sarcastic humour, and the same drama. But it wouldn't be the same without the drama!
The world Cassie created is still as interesting as when it was when we first met it back in the first book, though it's a bit less confusing now that we know the basics. I like that the shadowhunters use their own as well as mundane's technology like mobile phones. The sereph blades intrigue me in the sense that they light up at the name of an angel. And the runes was another unique idea: runes are drawn on the body of a shadowhunter to give them special powers and abilities like to see in the dark etc.
As I had hoped, Valentine was definitely more Evil in "City of Ashes". He didn't do something that was like "Oh, Shit! Where did that come from!" but he was badder, which was good.
Things are starting to hint that Jace's heritage is not quite right but then who is he? The new book brings more excitement and I enjoyed it equally as the first. This book draws us closer to the end and we will see how the first trilogy will turn out and if my wild assumptions were indeed correct.
Which I'm sure they were after I read this ;)
Will post the Review of "City of Glass" later tonight or tomorrow, but either way I'll make sure the review is posted!

Ridiculous Movie Names

This seems like a weird post, It is a bit to be honest.
I saw an advert for a film called something like "Man On A Ledge".
Seems quite silly name for a movie. It doesn't capture the audience. It's a stage direction. I wonder if the movie will be a flop.
And also a tongue twister:
"Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes"
I watched the film, starring popular actor James Franco. It wasn't that bad. A prequel to "The Planet Of The Apes" or whatever it's called. But the name is a bit too complicated.
This post is a bit pointless but I thought that I should tell you what's on my mind.

Television Update

I have seen a few things recently. A series that has stood out for me was the new BBC adaptation of "Great Expectations". Set in Victorian times, the plot hypnosis follows.

" 'Don’t come again. Even if she begs. Forget about this house and everyone in it...'

On a cold winter's day, orphan Pip has a terrifying encounter with an escaped convict. Pip's innocent act of kindness towards this man is to have far reaching consequences for them both. Meanwhile, Miss Havisham, the reclusive owner of the grand and dilapidated Satis House, has requested Pip's presence as a playmate to her beautiful but cold-hearted daughter, Estella. Then Pip's life is suddenly transformed by the generosity of a secret benefactor. Pip abandons his loving home on the marshes for the life of a London gentleman, hoping to win Estella's hand. But the encounters of his childhood are to haunt him and shape the man he becomes.

Sarah Phelps' gripping adaptation brings out the very best of Dickens' masterpiece - part thriller, part mystery, with a powerful love story at its heart."

And Info about The Series:
Great Expectations is a three-part BBC television drama adaptation by Sarah Phelps of the Charles Dickens novel Great Expectations. Starring Ray Winstone as Magwitch, Gillian Anderson as Miss Havisham, Douglas Booth as Pip, Vanessa Kirby as Estella and David Suchet as Jaggers. The adaptation was first broadcast on British television over the Christmas period in 2011.
The DVD is out now in the UK so go buy it now, I guarantee it won't be a waste of your money and time.

"HALO" by Alexandra Adornetto

After finishing "City Of Fallen Angels" (the fourth book in The Mortal Instruments. Will write a review a bit later) yesterday, I started another Young Adult fiction series by Alexandra Adornetto. The first is called "Halo" and the second "Hades".
To be honest, a few chapters in, I'm not really enjoying it. The characters are kinda boring and so is the plot. Maybe I should wait and carry on then I'll like it. I chose to read reviews which was a great mistake because I'd say three quarters of them were negative.

When I saw that the author was only eighteen, I was a bit interested. It said on the inside cover in the back of the book that she published her first book at fourteen in australia (where she was living at the time). That seems to be an overwhelming achievement.
As I would like to become an author one day, that did interest me a little bit. I am turning fourteen this may so to imagine myself in her situation is definitely weird. It must have been very hard to juggle writing and school. I write but I cant imagine sending anything out to a publisher at fourteen.
Not to sound catty, but Alexandra seemed to have got it easy. Other reviewers said that they have been trying for years to get published and all she did was send something to
Harper Collins (I think it was that) without a publisher and boom, she got published.

I don't like giving up on books so I'll try and continue though it may possibly be a waste of time.
Wish me luck.

The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones

I have read a multitude of reviews based on this book, some positive some negative. People, based on the many reviews, either really hated it or loved it. I for one, did enjoy the book.

From the very first page, author Cassandra Clare drew me into the book until I was hooked. Admittedly, That didn't take very long. Some aspects of the plot weren't so original but other main aspects were unique. The world she created was indeed imaginative and alluring.
In the world she created, she has:
Kick ass Vampires,
A new take on werewolves,
Warlocks, (the half demon half human spawn)
The Fey (fairies that are half angel half demon),
Demons (obviously)
Shadow Hunters(Nephilium) amongst others *ahem ahem Silent Brothers*
The shadow hunter thing did ooze with coolness, with the whole slaying demons and all that. I mean half angel and half human that can kick some demon ass! It doesn't get much better than that.
The story is full of action and unsuspected twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A fast paced book And yes, there is some bits added for dramatic effect, but isn't that better? If the book drawled on slower than a snail's pace, I would personally want to throw the book at the wall in irritation.
To be honest, I did guess quite a few twist right but it was fun trying to figure out what was going to happen because most of the time, Cassie doesn't go for the obvious. It's quite shameful the satisfaction I felt when I got something right. *Enter victory dance with moves I cannot personally do here*. I think that guessing the plot twists was all part of the wonderful experience. It's a story world I'd love to live in. Cassie writes the book beautifully; the reader not only reads the story as it goes along, but they feel as they are there living it. A unique talent.
All the characters had depth to them, especially Clarissa fray's (the main character) love interest, shadowhunter Jace wayland(who all the fan girls drool over). Clary coped with the situation very well, her state of denial was short and sweet which kept the book moving forward.
I would say the bad villain of the book wasn't the stereotypical bad guy. He wasn't all "I'll kill you and everyone you ever knew!" Type of villain. He wanted to do something he believed in though it wasn't right. Wasn't very terrifying but Cassie did manage to make me annoyed at Valentine. I hope the next two contain more evilness!
Overall, a brilliant read for me.
5/5 :)

Grr

I just wrote an extremely Long review concerning the Mortal Instruments and it didn't publish so I lost it. I shall have to start over again. *sighs*

Cassandra Clare.

Since my last post, I have read a multitude of books that were really interesting(will list them at a later date), but one author that stood out for me is Cassandra Clare.
Cassandra Clare is a Young Adult author who has written absolutely fantastic best selling series' "The Mortal Instruments" and "The Infernal Devices".
Both are set in a fantasy world filled with mysterious shadow hunters, sexy warlocks, immortal vampires, demons and so much more.
The mortal instruments is set in modern day, the first series of the two to capture the worlds attention. Now, after 5 million copies in print, the first book is being adapted in a film starring Lilly Collins (the blind side,abduction) as Clary fray and Jamie Campbell power (twilight, Camelot) as Jace wayland.
The Infernal Devices, an equally thrilling trilogy set in the Victorian era will capture your heart and melt it into pieces. The first book, Clockwork Angel, was released in 2009 to the ravenous fans of the mortal instruments. The last book, named the Clockwork Princess has not been published and is expected to be released sometime in 2013.

This is just a small post regarding the series', don't worry, I shall be writing detailed reviews for each book soon. :)