Bookaholic Life 101
Hi, my name is Marta. I'm 14 years old and I'm from Portugal. I love reading, it's almost as an obcession and dance is my passion. Follow me for some great book reviews.
The Darkest Part of The Forest by Holly Black
Publication: January 2015
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20958632-the-darkest-part-of-the-forest
Summary: "Children can have a cruel, absolute sense of justice. Children can kill a monster and feel quite proud of themselves. A girl can look at her brother and believe they’re destined to be a knight and a bard who battle evil. She can believe she’s found the thing she’s been made for.
Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries’ seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be, and she knows how to stop them. Or she did, once.
At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking.
Until one day, he does…
As the world turns upside down, Hazel tries to remember her years pretending to be a knight. But swept up in new love, shifting loyalties, and the fresh sting of betrayal, will it be enough?"
My first Holly Black novel, she certainly does write amazing paranormal stand-alones! Honestly, I liked this one a lot more than I thought I would! I mean that in the best possible way.
The beginning kinda of set me off, because it was really slow, just re-telling the characters past but as you get more into the book you start loving it! The hole concept of the plot is entertaining and kept me on my feet, wanting to know what was gonna happen next.
This book is so much more than a mythical-looking boy waking up and escaping from the coffin. It tells all the Folk secrets and concepts as well as how the character are connected to them. Hazel is our main character. She has been dealing with the Folk (basically, faeries) for years, but she hasn't really known, due to a clause on a bargain she did once she was young. (Read the book and find out what the bargain was!)
This book is written entirely in third person, but we pretty much get the story from Hazel's (third person) perspective. I like the prospect of this, but feel like I didn't really connect with her in any especial way.
As usual what is a book without a little bit of romance? There is plenty of sweeping romance in this book. If you couldn't tell by now. Hazel is in love with her bothers best friend, Jack, who is a challenging. I really ship them btw! And her bother will fall in love with the horned boy.
Of corse none of these couples will have a quiet and simple journey to happiness, since there will be many bumps in the road.
There is a creature in Fairfold that must be stopped. The waking of the horned boy was no coincidence. Hazel, Ben (her brother), Jack, and the horned boy must stop the creature. A powerful sword, a faerie ritual, a crazed king... there is so much going on, that After a while I just didn't want to put this book down.
In conclusion I liked the story. At first, things were pretty slow, because Black was setting up the scene. The horned boy doesn't disappear in the first scene. There is a lot of switching back to scenes of the past in this book, but they are marked and very obvious, and don't last long.
I liked Hazel, honestly, but My favorite character was probably Jack, and then Severin (the horned boy).
This book is set in a contemporary world, it's definitely in modern times. But there is so much fantasy in this book, and it's billed as a fairy tale. Holly Black did an incredible job of constructing the world and putting in place all of the fantasy elements, in a modern world.
I enjoyed this book! Not one of my favorites, but definitely worth reading! Excellent work, Holly Black!
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
Series: The infernal devices #3
Publication: march 2013
Goodreads: "Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.
Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy?
Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.
A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her."
“There are some things worst than death.
Not to be loved or not to be able to love.”
My heart has never felt this way after finishing a series... Is it was possible to feel such tempered happiness as well as such overwhelming grief for everyone involved?
THIS is how a love triangle should be written, in a way that preserves the honor of everyone involved. There isn't another series out there that has ever managed to handle one with such love and kindness and respect.
This is truly one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever witnessed. All negative thoughts about love triangles are thrown out the window with THIS story! It does not describe two men fighting over one woman, but three people loving each other equally; friendship is just as important as passion. The bonds of brotherhood hold just as much weight as the importance of desire. Selfishness holds no power, Sacrifice no reward. For when one is hurting, everyone is hurting.
We finally wrap everything up. All the mysteries, the secrets, mortmain plans, the origins of Tessa and what more she can do.
Tessa is an unique character, strong and determined, but also shows her vulnerable side and love most times. Jem struggles with his illness so that he won't leave Will and Tessa, as well as discovering his parabatai unconditional love for his fiancee. Will shows his real soft and caring side through out the book which makes him even braver and alluring, he feels torn between his heart and his oath, and will have tough decision to make.
An incredible and unforgettable emotional roller coaster, without a doubt.
And that epilogue...
I didn't think I was going to cry like that, but it happened. I was sobbing my way through those pages non-stop. I was happy with the epilogue. The way everything came full circle was perfect. I'm team Will and shall always be but i felt her lowliness without him andI am very much glad that one can live to people equally and differently at the same time.
It was still shocking to me how the h ole Jem changing back happen but it all turned out amazingly put together and It drove the point home of how everybody and everything in this story was intertwined.
"I knew you thought there to be some corruptive force about you that would break me. I meant to show you that I would not break, that love was not so fragile."
Sometimes a soul-mate is not a lover, but instead a friend who is closer than a brother.
The author chose an ending which worked on so many levels without feeling like a copout.
Certainly one of my favorite trilogies!
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
Series: The Infernal Devices #2
Publication: December 2011
Goodreads: "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, but 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."
It's always a bit hard for me to get used to third person writing, but this time (maybe because I got used to it in the previous book) it was just delightful.
Will, Tessa and Jem
Tessa's character develops in thing book: becoming more sure of herself and her unique powers, as well as deepening her relationships with both boys in her life. Jem reveals an alluring side to him that hasn't been seen before, and finally the devastating secret in Will’s
tragic past is discovered. In this book you also get to see a new side of Will, a more free spirited and childish side that will make you laugh and smile.
- “Astriola. That IS demon pox. You had evidence that demon pox existed and you didnt mention it to me! Et tu, Brute!' He rolled up the paper and hit Jem over the head with it.”
This is one of the most well-written love triangles: with a strong girl torn between two attractive boys; there are given good reasons for Tessa to love them both, but at the same time reasons for her not to give her heart to either of them. While reading it is amazing to feel Tessa’s pull towards both Jem and Will, whom she has romantic and wildly sensual moments with.
Jem’s illness, Will’s love for and dependence upon him, and her own need for self-respect all contribute to the difficult situation, not forgetting the friendships she does not want to ruin.
I feel that these books are very character driven, which, for me, is a very positive aspect and makes me loved them even more.
Something I love in this series is the appreciation for literature and the references to all the amazing classics such as "A Tale of two cities", "Wuthering Heights", etc.
It's a book full of amazing action scenes, a smart use of magic, and the hilarious dialogue between these characters, that just brightens up my day. However, I also consider it an intense emotional read for those invested in these amazing characters. I cried several times near the heartbreaking end and btw TEAM WILL ALL THE WAY!!
The book was definitely satisfying, agonizing and painful in the most exquisite and emotionally way.
Just picked up Clockwork Princess and gonna star reading it NOW, you should absolutely do the same!
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Goodreads Summary: "In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series.
The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them..."
In Clockwork Angel there is evoked a sense of old-world glamour that was Victorian London, a place of creeping fog and horse-drawn carriages. This was my perception of London that Clare evoked with her writing, and I believe it made me enjoy this world a lot more.
I'm not the biggest fan of 3rd person past tense, so it did take me a little while to get into it. The beginning was a little slow for me, but the ending definitely picked up! It was brilliant, full of action and surprises.
Tessa Gray is the newcomer to the world of Shadowhunters, and her character does not disappoint in that she is in almost every sense the proper lady of the 1800s: polite, courteous, respectful, and modest. So it is with great pleasure that I watched her transform into a stronger and braver person, one who was not afraid to defend her loved ones with her all and verbally spar with others in humor or defense of her beliefs. In the following books I hope to see her grow even more as a character.
Will Herondale is the resident bad boy with the probable heart of gold. He’s handsome, tormented, sarcastic, and cold, yet occasionally we glimpse a softer and more passionate side to him. And then there is Jem Carstairs, who is walking, talking, living proof of a terrible cruelty, and yet despite this he is kind, and caring, and understanding. I truly look forward to these three’s future interactions in the next two books. Honestly, the only difference between them all is the length of their appearances, the lack of which, I hope, will be redeemed in the future books.
One thing I’ve realized that I enjoy in Cassandra Clare’s work is that her stories never center solely on just one female lead and one male lead. The universe does not revolve around the girl and the guy. But, rather, there is always a rich cast of characters that supplement each other, that give each other depth and personality; there is a warm sense of rivalry that makes me care for them. Clare can write some truly amazing characters, authentic and engaging and unique.
The plot is alternately thrilling and chilling, hilarious and somber, lighthearted and tragic. The combination is one made just right, a winding adventure through the London of Queen Victoria’s time. Clockwork Angel is amazing in its ability to present a story that is both character-driven and plot-driven, with both done superbly well. I adored practically every single character and was captivated by the story until the very end.
I eagerly await Clockwork Prince and Clockwork Princess that will be in my possession late this month or the next.
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Series: Sleepless Series #1
Summary: “It’s a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.
Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.
Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?
Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.”
This is a beautifully written space opera, with elements of the paranormal. The plot is very much survival-based, and in the course of the novel the relationship between the survivors grows, which makes this book stand out.
The writing is beautiful, the descriptions are exceptionally well done, without any elements of purple prose; it flowed exceedingly well. The romance was well built, and completely believable, although a little overwhelming at times given the environment and the situation.
I wound up liking both of the characters, even if I didn’t start off that way. Lilac and Tarver’s relationship and its development was the best thing about this book. Lilac’s character is a bit annoying in the beginning and, truly, I just wanted to punch her, but in the course of the novel she suffers some major character development.
Even being a great book, I still have reservations about it that, in my opinion, keeps it from being a even greater novel. That includes the slowness of the plot, the unconvincing character of Tarver (even though I love him very much) and the complete lack of world building.
The plot dragged on at times because an overwhelming part of the book is composed of the pair traipsing through an alien planet, trying to survive an unknown environment. The narrative flows well, but Tarver’s character isn’t as convincing as I would like him to be as the lead male.
Overall, I really, truly enjoyed this book, and it is absolutely in the running for one of my notable reads. Absolutely recommended, and I cannot wait for the next two books in the series.
Branded by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17402117-branded
Goodreads Summary: “Fifty years ago The Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society.
To punish the guilty, he created the Hole, a place where sinners are branded according to their sins. Sinners are forced to live a less than human existence in deplorable conditions, under the watchful eye of guards who are ready to kill anyone who steps out of line.
Now, LUST wraps around my neck like thick, blue fingers, threatening to choke the life out of me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit, and the Hole is my new home.
Constant darkness.
Brutal and savage violence.
Excruciating pain.
Every day is a fight for survival.
But I won’t let them win. I will not die in the Hole.
I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter. My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.”
This is an amazing dystopian read that will leave you begging for more! It’s fast paced, exciting with an heart pounding romance that will make you fall in love with this mystical dark world!
Branded is an action-packed read that’s virtually impossible to put down once started. The characters are amazing, so well-written that I fell in love with them (even the ones I hated). This novel concentrates on the people and how they cope with their hopeless lives. It’s the characters that make this novel good. The main character, Lexi, in the beginning is sort of annoying but through the course of the book suffers some major character development.
Lexi and Cole are both fantastic characters. I fell in love with both of them immediately. Since the novel is told from Lexi’s point of view, we know what’s in her mind, her thoughts and feelings. It seems so real that is, almost, as if you are really living that moment yourself. I enjoyed the way her story was drawn out. We know from the beginning that she’s innocent of her crime, but not her entire backstory. When it’s all revealed, it’s a doozie. What we don’t learn much about is Cole’s backstory. Which I hope to find out more in the next book.
Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki have brought a unique concept in the Dysoptian genre with Branded. The moment I started reading Branded I was sucked into this world, and I couldn’t put this book down. I was surprised more than once with the revelations of each character and I was even more surprised with the revelation of the identity of the commander. I found myself cringing at some of the graphic violence because it was that easy to visualize it. I felt that I was inside the story with Lexi and Cole in the Hole. I can’t wait to read the second book in this series!
Branded by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki is by far my favorite Dystopian read and has sit the standards for any other Dystopian book I read in the future…