Raven: The City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1)

A novel by Cassandra Clare

Publication date: March 27th, 2007

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 485

Targeted Audience: Young adult (Fantasy and romance)

Summary: When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . . 

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

To begin with, I suck. I just know it. Why do I suck? Because I read oh-so-awesome books after the movies release! *sobbing* I think Hunger Games and Percy Jackson are the only series that I have read before the release of the movies (Thank god for that) and there is no need for me to say how much I love both the books which means you have to read it... if you still haven't.

Anyways, back to the review in hand. So, two weeks back in school, on Monday, we had library and so I go inside and sit down with my friends at a table waiting for the librarian to call out my name so I can take my card and get a book.

I scan the shelves (which was pretty difficult since some books are hidden behind other books and also because I hadn't worn my glasses) and I see City of Bones. I immediately turn to my friends and say in a grave and serious tone (Kinda like a police officer) "I see City of Bones." It was a pretty funny moment but whatever, I am deviating from the topic again.

So I start reading this book, expecting lots of interesting stuff to happen. I reach chapter 7 and by that time I have lost all hope. I mean things are happening but it's just not there, that jittery excitement! That wasn't there! I guess it was because Clary was accepting whatever was being thrown at her. Unlike Percy Jackson, she didn't go all "Oh my god! This is not possible. Vampires and werewolves don't exist and I have never heard of shadowhunters so they don't exist." She doesn't throw any tantrums!

I was almost about to stop reading but being a book junkie I needed to know what happens in the end. So I went on and I am glad that I did. Because after chapter 8 I just fell head over heels in love with this book. It's thrilling and hilarious at the same time!

So Clary is a normal girl (just like any other character in a fantasy book) and for her birthday she goes to this club called Pandemonium with her best friend Simon (who obviously has a crush on her and she doesn't know it)  Here she sees three weirdly dressed people kill someone. 
This is how she was introduced to the shadowhunter world. 

Soon after, her mom is kidnapped, she fights  a demon by stuffing a cell phone down its throat and ends up in a church which is covered from the human eye by glamour (Like the mist in Percy Jackson) Now like in every other fantasy book you need a villain and in this book it's Valentine.  At first when I read about him, I thought he was a girl (Since I have a class mate with that name but slightly altered) and then when I find out he was a guy... *insert dropped lower jaw*

As said in the book, shadowhunters (or Nephilim) were made after they drank the blood of Angel Raziel mixed with the blood of the person changing. Idris is the homeland of the Nephilim and Alicante (glass city) is the capital of Idris. Now this can be really confusing and so I will be giving just a brief information of everything related to the children of the Nephilim. 

The Clave is the general organisation of the Nephilim. Like the government that we have. The Covenant is the Law of the Shadowhunters and Downworlders (Vampires, werewolves and all other supernatural creatures) like our constitution. And the Accords is the treaty that ordains how Shadowhunters and Downworlders will never reveal the truth of the Shadowworld to mundanes (Muggles or humans)

Now on why the series is called the Mortal Instruments. The Mortal Instruments are three divine items given by Angel Raziel to Jonathan (the First shadowhunter). Those three items were The Mortal cup, The Mortal Sword and the Mortal Mirror.
In this book Valentine's objective is to steal the Mortal Cup and Clary and the Shadowhunters must find it before him. 

Anyways, It's a very interesting book. The more you read the more you fall into it. There are soo many shocking factors here. I'm sure that if you love Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Hunger Games and many other such books then you're sure to love this one.

Clary is nice but I just feel like slapping her for what she does to Simon (What she does is for you to find out).

Simon is the nice and cute guy and I absolutely love him! He is the kind of guy (Like the author said) who will take you to prom and impress your parents. I just love him and his sarcasm and cuteness.

Jace is hilarious! I love him for his ridiculousness. I love his jokes sooo much that I am going to quote one of my favourites.

Jace: "It means 'Shadowhunters: Looking better in black than the widows of our enemies since 1234" 

And this was a grave situation (Literally). 

I love Luke. He is like the handsome old man who you wouldn't mind falling for even though you two have an age difference of 300 years.

By the end of the book, I was literally ripping my hair off at what had just happened. I wanted to reverse it. Change it somehow even though it wasn't possible. The last few pages are just wow!

I love this book. I love Magnus Bane. I love Alec, Isabella, Hodge and Raphael. I just love all the characters. I love the story plot even though I don't find Valentine that vicious (I guess he will appear more ruthless in the next books) I really do want to keep reading. I want to see the movie and read the other books (Including the prequel and the e-book edition on Magnus Bane).

I rate this book a 4 for it's original plot but it loses its 1 since it reeled me in a little late. For those who haven't read it, I advise you to read it before your friends start laughing at you for being Late Larry (That's just what I call people who are late. Sorry Larry) 

I am pretty sure that if you haven't read it and the rest of your class has read it and when they see you reading it they will probably laugh but just shoo them off cause it's better reading it late than not reading it at all (That's my true story for books and exams *sigh*)

Lots of love & Pasta

Raven

Raven + Beez:  Pivot Point 

Kasie West

Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

When you start this book, let me warn you that you are in for a lot of surprises. 

But it will leave you aching(or craving or coveting or yearning) for more.

This book is about a teenager who is one of the psychologically advanced- Addison(somehow I like Addison better). She has a power to look into the future where two choices are concerned. Her power reminds me of the power Nicholas Cage had in the movie in which he could make copies of himself and let them go in various directions to see what would happen(I googled the name its-Next; and apparently his power is different than what I thought, after all I only saw the ending). Addie's talent is suited for the people who prefer to stay on the safe side. And because Addie has grown up with this ability she always does prefer to choose the safe side. 

Then her parents break the news to her- they're separating. For Addie it's like a surprise and I also didn't see that coming. But there's more, now Addie is faced with the decision whether to go with her dad to the norm world or stay with her life in the Compound. With her ability a choice for Addie can't be too hard right?

I don't now what but I was expecting something different when I started reading this book. After reading The distance between us and falling in love with it, I defiantly wanted to read this book but I didn't immediately because when an author makes you fall head over heels for a book of hers there is a huge possibility that her second read might disappoint. But I remember reading the summary and keeping it in my to-read list. I might have misread the summary because it left me with a feeling like it would be something like the alchemists from Bloodlines. But I was in for a shocker.

In many ways this book is the story of a normal teenager, struggling with normal problems. The ability is just a bonus. Even though given the choice I would choose a cooler ability but Addie's ability is actually quite nice. If I honestly admit I have quite the hard time deciding even simple things like what should I wear or which chocolate to buy. But I have a feeling if I ever had this ability I would never be able to live with a choice without Searching it. Well that's just me.

The whole of this book is a Search of 6 weeks. On one hand she chooses to stay home and on the other she moves to somewhere new. 

I liked the latter(I have always wanted to use this word) option better. When she moves she meets Trevor, who's cute and shy.The line I associate with Trevor is "the quietest people have the loudest minds". Trevor stays within his thoughts most of the time. Mostly because no one quite understands him. At least till Addie came along. Addie and Trevor immediately connect. Trevor is very much the Addie type. Addie herself is shy and a book worm. Addie loves reading classics but Trevor doesn't(like me). But Trevor likes comics and writes his own. He draws pretty amazing. Trevor and Addie even beep beep beep. Sorry i wasn't supposed to say that. So anyways i loved Trevor he was so cute and .....

Duke on the other hand who lives in the compound, i never liked. I've read way to many books and seen too many movies about jocks falling for the social recluse girl. And for the start it was fun. How she felt fire in his touch. But its kind of obvious that Addie's feeling changed so fast so i had an inkling of sorts. And after i came to know about Trevor and his injury i did't like him more. And i craved Trevor so much that my dislike further grew.

The one character i was surprised by was Bobby. At first when he keeps irritating her and pestering he i felt that he was just another insignificant part of the story. Just like i felt about the real murderer in Never bite a boy on the first date. Then when Bobby starts giving lessons to Laila i still did not think he was bad. Because come on who wouldn't want to expand their power? 

Well, he turned out to be a bad apple.

All in all the book was pretty impressive. It was different. At first it was kind of dull but still manages to hold our attention because of the stuff about the powers and super advanced life, but then when the mysteries appear it gets so exciting. And i love the twist with the different chapters from different worlds, it leaves you hanging and agape. Kasie West has done a brilliant job. And now i can hardly wait for Split Second. its like every cell in my body desperately needs to know. What happens?? What happens to Trevor?? Will he remember???

I am dying to know.

Breathless-ly  yours

Beez.

I and Beez began reading this book only because it was Kasie West's debut novel. And after having read "The distance between us" I wanted to know if the author really was that good... And she was. She has blown my mind away.

Addie or Addison lives in a world where people are mentally advanced. Her mom has the "persuasion" and her dad is a human lie detector. I don't even want to imagine being in Addie's situation, mainly because I think teenage life is all about lying and persuading your parents (I agree that's not good but anyone would be fooling themselves if they disagreed with me) not the other way around.

Addie herself has the "Clairvoyance" "Divergence" which helps her choose the safest decision if she ever comes across a pivot point in her life.  Her best friend Laila has the "memory" and she can wipe out anyone's memory. That is soooo cool. 

I really liked how the book begins with Addie being smacked on the head with a football by Duke. I have never read a book with such a great opening (which makes you laugh so hard  before even knowing the name of the character). Duke is the school quarterback/hottie who has the "Telekinesis" (Oh boy! I wanna tell you guys something but I can't cause it will give away the plot but just know that with this character you just don't know what to expect!)

Addie had a perfectly normal... I mean 'great' life (of course she is not normal, she has a mental power for god sake!) until her parents decide to split up and even worse, her daddy decides to live in the norm world and now she has to choose whom to live with- Her mom? inside the compound and her perfectly great life? or her dad? outside the compound? finding new friends?

This is where her six week search begins. We are given a chapter with her mom and a chapter with her dad, so we know what would be happening if she was with her mom or her dad.

She meets Trevor in her search. A beautifully awesome character who is a born artist and also has a great sense of humor. Who also happens to be a quarterback. Trevor is the perfect type for Addie (even though he plays football and Addie hates it). For once we get to see a girl fall for a guy who is sweet and not a jerk-badass. (Not that she doesn't fall for the latter either)

Now here there is a great mystery. Addie finds out things so horrible that she fervently wishes were not true (and so did I). The things that are revealed will make you feel sorry for Trevor and Addie. But, oh well! Nobody said everyone's perfect.

I love how Kasie West has unfolded the story. I love how she has given her character the brain to reason and find out every possible option unlike other books where even if the girl can cut the ropes herself she will wait for the guy to come along and save her. I love how even though none of us could probably imagine the ending, she was able to end it just perfectly. No loopholes or doubts whatsoever!

With this book I have to warn you that your expectations from the characters or the ending will not be touched because it will surpass it. It is beyond imagination. I love everything about this book and can't wait for the second book (Split second) which is said to come out next year February. 

I rate this book a 4.5 and it loses its 0.5 only because the book became more interesting after a few chapters... and also because since I am done with Harry Potter, none of the books seem to reach it's peak point. What can I say? I am just a huge potterhead.

Lots of love and Pasta

Raven

Raven: The Girl who kicked the Hornets nest

A magnificent novel by Stieg Larsson

Publication Date: May 25th, 2010
Publisher: Vintage
Pages: 563
Targeted Audience: Thriller loving (16+)

Summary: Lisbeth Salander—the heart of Larsson’s two previous novels—lies in critical condition, a bullet wound to her head, in the intensive care unit of a Swedish city hospital. She’s fighting for her life in more ways than one: if and when she recovers, she’ll be taken back to Stockholm to stand trial for three murders. With the help of her friend, journalist Mikael Blomkvist, she will not only have to prove her innocence, but also identify and denounce those in authority who have allowed the vulnerable, like herself, to suffer abuse and violence. And, on her own, she will plot revenge—against the man who tried to kill her, and the corrupt government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life.

Once upon a time, she was a victim. Now Salander is fighting back. 

This book is the BOMB! Even though I was slightly disappointed with how it all turned out. I guess after Larsson's first two books I just thought that this one would be more action packed and more... thrilling. I mean it was thrilling but not how much I had expected it to be. It was set on a pretty slow pace. This book could have been completed in 400 or so pages if Larsson had not extended everything.

It has a great plot though. I love the way everything makes sense by the end. Lisbeth's back story is amazing. And I absolutely love the newspaper and magazine thing in the book. I guess after Jeffrey Archer's book-The Fourth Estate- I have always loved the intense tension in the media. Also, the fact that Millenium (The name of the protagonists-Blomkvist- magazine) runs in the hands of a handful of people is just amazing.

My favourite character, without doubt, is Lisbeth Salander. The heroin with a photographic memory, a horrifying past and a computer hacker. It's just that the word pirate and hacker, even if they are bad they seem, sound and appear awesome!

Blomkvist is also a great character but the fact that all ladies like a man above forty with a kind of big belly is annoying. His curiosity to find out things about Salanders past to remove the charges slapped on her is what I like about him. I mean if it wasn't for him, Salander would just be ignored and put into a mental hospital. Again.

Coming back to the plot. It's highly annoying to read the names of places in Sweden. I mean what kind of a person even made those names? Even the character names are annoying. I always get confused between Bjorck (I think it's pronounced Bork like pork)  and Burman. 

The thing I absolutely loved is how the women in these books are portrayed as strong and independent.

And there is one more thing I want to mention. Almost by the end of the book the author is going to mention how one guy took a pic and it wins picture of the year award. I mean it was only a picture of a person with a bewildered face! And I bet he wasn't even handsome. Da fudge??

And there are parts in the book where the Author has written what the character did, like wake up and fry egg and eat toast with a glass of blah blah. It's not even necessary for us to read all that but for some reason I like to read those parts. Makes me feel more connected to the character and makes the characters look like real people and not some imagined character.

The characters in this book are as real as real can be... except for the fact that all women like Blomkvist (Except Modig. I absolutely love her for that) and that women who have enormous biceps look attractive (at least that's what Blomkvist thinks). The love (or shall I say sex) life of these people is so bizarre. It cannot possibly happen in reality... right?

Anyways, I suggest anyone who is above sixteen to read this book. It's a great mystery novel. The kind which you cannot put down. However, if you are planning on reading this book (I am talking about this particular book) then don't read it. Go to your library or book store and get The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo first because that is where it all begins. Then go for The girl who Played with Fire and then and only then should you read this book. (You also need a great brain to keep up with the pace of these books and the amount of characters that are introduced to you. Everyone mentioned has a role to play.)

I rate this book a 4.2 only because it wasn't up to my expectation (Don't you see? I have rated it a 4.2 even though it didn't reach my expectations which means that you should totally read it!!) but if you want me to rate the earlier two installments, then I rate them a 4.8 each. Yup, I loved it that much. It's a pity that Stieg Larsson died before he could see his books become a sensation. I would have loved to read more of his works.

Lots of love & Pasta

Raven