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Rose-Marie3071 (67 KP) rated Shadowhunters - The Mortal Instruments in TV
Feb 26, 2019
Shadowhunters is a brilliant series that is based off of Cassandra Clare's: Mortal Instruments.
Despite the series deviation from the books around the time of Jonathan Morganstern's introduction, the series manage to maintain a great story.
The biggest disappointment was when they announced the cancellation of the series after the ending of season 3 where Clary was thought to have died. While I am upset that they are only making an extra 2 episodes to finish off the series, I am glad as well, as it should leave it with a more rounded ending.
Despite the series deviation from the books around the time of Jonathan Morganstern's introduction, the series manage to maintain a great story.
The biggest disappointment was when they announced the cancellation of the series after the ending of season 3 where Clary was thought to have died. While I am upset that they are only making an extra 2 episodes to finish off the series, I am glad as well, as it should leave it with a more rounded ending.
Briannabrown1019 (799 KP) rated City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1) in Books
Dec 3, 2020
I'm suuuuuuuuper late to the cassandra clare party, but better late than never right? Until this week if you'd mentioned shadowhunters to me I'd have looked at you like you were crazy. Now I think ill just go ahead and read them all 🤣 this book was great mainly for the fact that it has a little bit of everything, not just the shadowhunters. Vampires? Yep. Werewolves? Yep. Warlocks, fae, demons? All yep. Then sprinkle in some witty banter, a couple fight scenes, and an interesting, though slightly predictable, plot? Works for me.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Fire Lord's Lover (The Elven Lords, #1) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Dominic has spent years perfecting his rock-hard shell, keeping his human heart under lock and key, for fear of getting hurt again. His brutal horrible father has tortured him for his softness and lack of black fire magic for years, and Dominic can’t handle any more. So he isn’t prepared for a kind, sweet, tender-hearted wife…
Cassandra has been raised in the catholic school, but trained in to fight in the rebellion as a death-dance assassin. She is sent to marry the son of the Imperial Fire Lord, so that she can get close enough to the Fire Lord to kill him. She knows it’s a death mission, and she’s fully prepared… but she’s not so sure she wants to part with Dominic once she breaks down his hard exterior shell.
As Dominic and Cassandra begin to love each other, Dominic starts to worry about Cassandra’s mission, and Cassandra worries about Dominic’s father trying to kill him. How can two people who love each other protect each other, if protection of the one ends with death for the other? And what of the evil Fire Lord’s hate towards the people and the rebellion against the elves?
I enjoyed The Fire Lord’s Lover from start to finish. The characters were developed quickly and I liked them, the dialogue felt right, and the pacing was great.
The most important thing about The Fire Lord’s Lover, the thing that made it good, was the character’s love for each other. It didn’t feel sappy and fake, centered around physical attraction. It was real and it had reason behind it. Cassandra and Dominic needed each other, and the people needed them together.
At first, I didn’t really like the ending. I almost got a little annoyed at it… but the more I thought about it, the more I liked it—a lot like It’s Not Summer Without You. I didn’t quite like it at first, even though I knew why Kennedy had done what she did… but then I thought back over it again, envisioned in my mind how it would play out, and was very pleased. I won’t spoil it! But I will say that it was surprisingly satisfying.
Content: I thought the love scenes were slightly overkill… I was literally skipping chunks of pages at a time (I don’t read the scenes). There was a little bit of language, but it wasn’t bad and I felt it was appropriate.
Recommendation: Ages 18+
I’ve got a giveaway for 2 copies of The Fire Lord’s Lover up for grabs, and (soon) my ARC will be available for swap at ARC Swap.
Cassandra has been raised in the catholic school, but trained in to fight in the rebellion as a death-dance assassin. She is sent to marry the son of the Imperial Fire Lord, so that she can get close enough to the Fire Lord to kill him. She knows it’s a death mission, and she’s fully prepared… but she’s not so sure she wants to part with Dominic once she breaks down his hard exterior shell.
As Dominic and Cassandra begin to love each other, Dominic starts to worry about Cassandra’s mission, and Cassandra worries about Dominic’s father trying to kill him. How can two people who love each other protect each other, if protection of the one ends with death for the other? And what of the evil Fire Lord’s hate towards the people and the rebellion against the elves?
I enjoyed The Fire Lord’s Lover from start to finish. The characters were developed quickly and I liked them, the dialogue felt right, and the pacing was great.
The most important thing about The Fire Lord’s Lover, the thing that made it good, was the character’s love for each other. It didn’t feel sappy and fake, centered around physical attraction. It was real and it had reason behind it. Cassandra and Dominic needed each other, and the people needed them together.
At first, I didn’t really like the ending. I almost got a little annoyed at it… but the more I thought about it, the more I liked it—a lot like It’s Not Summer Without You. I didn’t quite like it at first, even though I knew why Kennedy had done what she did… but then I thought back over it again, envisioned in my mind how it would play out, and was very pleased. I won’t spoil it! But I will say that it was surprisingly satisfying.
Content: I thought the love scenes were slightly overkill… I was literally skipping chunks of pages at a time (I don’t read the scenes). There was a little bit of language, but it wasn’t bad and I felt it was appropriate.
Recommendation: Ages 18+
I’ve got a giveaway for 2 copies of The Fire Lord’s Lover up for grabs, and (soon) my ARC will be available for swap at ARC Swap.
justmissash (21 KP) rated Emma in the Night in Books
Aug 23, 2018
Suspenseful, twisty, cannot put down
Emma and Cassandra were missing for 3 years. Some believed they were dead. Were the kidnapped? Murdered? Did they run away?
It starts out with a young Cassandra, Cass for short, telling about her mother and her older sister Emma. Her mother loved Cass more, and would often brush her hair and tell her how beautiful she was, while Emma was often denied love from her mother. Their mother would also ask them to tell her how beautiful she was. She needed to hear it frequently. They had a routine. When their parents split up, Emma told Cass to tell the courts they should live with their father and when she did, Emma did the opposite. Emma stood by her mother as a sort of betrayal to her sister. Now their mother loves Emma more and Cass is off to the side.
Cass tells about the day she disappeared, when she was 15, and her sister who also disappeared.
She was with Emma then, but now she's home. Alone. How is she going to tell people what really happened. She is very nervous. Has to get her story straight. What will people think? So where was Cass and What Happened To Emma?
It starts out with a young Cassandra, Cass for short, telling about her mother and her older sister Emma. Her mother loved Cass more, and would often brush her hair and tell her how beautiful she was, while Emma was often denied love from her mother. Their mother would also ask them to tell her how beautiful she was. She needed to hear it frequently. They had a routine. When their parents split up, Emma told Cass to tell the courts they should live with their father and when she did, Emma did the opposite. Emma stood by her mother as a sort of betrayal to her sister. Now their mother loves Emma more and Cass is off to the side.
Cass tells about the day she disappeared, when she was 15, and her sister who also disappeared.
She was with Emma then, but now she's home. Alone. How is she going to tell people what really happened. She is very nervous. Has to get her story straight. What will people think? So where was Cass and What Happened To Emma?
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments, #5) in Books
Sep 5, 2019 (Updated Mar 27, 2021)
43 of 250
Book
City of Lost Souls ( Shadowhunter book 5)
By Cassandra Clare
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Discover more secrets about the Shadowhunters as they fight to protect the world from demons in the fifth book in the internationally bestselling series. What price is too high to pay, even for love? Clary is willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost? This edition contains a map and a new foreword by Cassandra Clare. Read all the sensational books in The Shadowhunter Chronicles: The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy, The Bane Chronicles, The Dark Artifices, The Last Hours and The Shadowhunter’s Codex.
So I’ve almost totally given up on these books Clary and Jace drive me mental!
This one was the only one I actually enjoyed the reason being it brought the other characters forward instead of focusing on this toxic childish relationship.
I will stick to the end as I’m not for giving up on a series especially 5 books in. The reason for the 3 stars instead of 2 was because the book did bring the other characters forward!
Book
City of Lost Souls ( Shadowhunter book 5)
By Cassandra Clare
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Discover more secrets about the Shadowhunters as they fight to protect the world from demons in the fifth book in the internationally bestselling series. What price is too high to pay, even for love? Clary is willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost? This edition contains a map and a new foreword by Cassandra Clare. Read all the sensational books in The Shadowhunter Chronicles: The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy, The Bane Chronicles, The Dark Artifices, The Last Hours and The Shadowhunter’s Codex.
So I’ve almost totally given up on these books Clary and Jace drive me mental!
This one was the only one I actually enjoyed the reason being it brought the other characters forward instead of focusing on this toxic childish relationship.
I will stick to the end as I’m not for giving up on a series especially 5 books in. The reason for the 3 stars instead of 2 was because the book did bring the other characters forward!
Emma (519 KP) rated The Mortal Instruments 1: City of Bones in Books
Sep 19, 2019
I got this as a Christmas present from my mum last christmas, and have just got round to reading it. Usually I read the book before watching the movie/ tv series, but this time it was the movie and series which made me get the book.
I really enjoyed the story and found it quite easy reading,with easy to connect with characters. Cassandra Clare has created a world which I was happy to get a glimpse inside of and I can't wait to get the second book to continue the adventure with Clary and Jace.
I really enjoyed the story and found it quite easy reading,with easy to connect with characters. Cassandra Clare has created a world which I was happy to get a glimpse inside of and I can't wait to get the second book to continue the adventure with Clary and Jace.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated A Carnal Agreement (Regency Intrigue, #1) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I ordered this book off of Amazon when it recommended it with another purchase. I thought sure why not, and ended up with a permanent addition to my collections. If there is one thing I love more than erotic, is historical erotica, especially a well written on.
Before I gush over how much I fell in love with this novel, I will state the only thing that annoyed me about this novel which is CassandraÂ’s want of independence. First of all, I guess I can understand her in a sense, but for the time she lives in, she seems to be asking too much. Not to mention, at a certain point, she became annoying about it. We get it, you want your independence. Now please stop kicking the dead horse.
Beyond that, this was a really good a read. Very few erotic novels have such great plotlines to go along with their delicious erotic scenes. I loved that this novel had both. I also liked that the sex wasnÂ’t what the two fall in love. Like any normal human being, Mark worries for Cassandra when he realizes someone has tried to harm her. As they spend more and more time together, their feelings grow. You can actually watch the progression of them falling in love.
A must read for historical erotica readers everywhere.
Before I gush over how much I fell in love with this novel, I will state the only thing that annoyed me about this novel which is CassandraÂ’s want of independence. First of all, I guess I can understand her in a sense, but for the time she lives in, she seems to be asking too much. Not to mention, at a certain point, she became annoying about it. We get it, you want your independence. Now please stop kicking the dead horse.
Beyond that, this was a really good a read. Very few erotic novels have such great plotlines to go along with their delicious erotic scenes. I loved that this novel had both. I also liked that the sex wasnÂ’t what the two fall in love. Like any normal human being, Mark worries for Cassandra when he realizes someone has tried to harm her. As they spend more and more time together, their feelings grow. You can actually watch the progression of them falling in love.
A must read for historical erotica readers everywhere.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2090 KP) rated A Dastardly Plot in Books
Oct 16, 2018
Plenty of Peril to Keep the Pages Turning
New York City is gearing up for the 1883 World's Fair, and Molly Pepper is hoping her mother, Cassandra, will be able to snag a spot in the inventor's hall to show case some of her amazing inventions. However, when the spot is given to a man - again - Molly and Cassandra devise a plan to break into the Inventory's Guild. That's where Molly stumbles upon the plans to sabotage the opening ceremonies. Who is the villain? Can Molly stop them?
The book starts out a little slowly, some of which is introducing us to the new characters and new series. Once the plot got going, the pacing certainly improved, and we got some fun twists that kept the pages turning. The climax introduced some new threads, and I can't wait to find out what happens next as the series continues. The characters are strong, and the real and fictional rubbed shoulders with ease. I did feel the book stopped at times to lecture us on equality - an important topic to be sure - but it felt like it slowed things down briefly when it came up. This new series has a slight Steampunk element to it, and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. I also enjoyed the pages at the end that told us about some of the same real people and events that underpinned this fictional world.
The book starts out a little slowly, some of which is introducing us to the new characters and new series. Once the plot got going, the pacing certainly improved, and we got some fun twists that kept the pages turning. The climax introduced some new threads, and I can't wait to find out what happens next as the series continues. The characters are strong, and the real and fictional rubbed shoulders with ease. I did feel the book stopped at times to lecture us on equality - an important topic to be sure - but it felt like it slowed things down briefly when it came up. This new series has a slight Steampunk element to it, and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. I also enjoyed the pages at the end that told us about some of the same real people and events that underpinned this fictional world.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Cassandra Files: Genesis in Books
May 7, 2021
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
Rod Pennington's latest novel, Cassandra Files: Genesis, is a quick and enjoyable read.
A third-generation and well-respected Naval combat pilot, Lt. Cassandra Morse, is performing a test of a prototype fighter jet with her co-pilot grandfather when they are attacked. Missing for weeks after the accident, she has no memory of the lost time. Stranger still, she can see and talk with her grandfather, who died in the accident. No one believes her even when she begins having prophetic dreams. That is, no one believes her until her dreams come true, and her latest dream is the scariest yet.
While I enjoyed the story, I enjoyed Pennington's writing, use of strong women characters, and humor more. The story wraps everything up at the end, but he left room for a sequel too.
Some reviewers had a difficult time keeping track of the numerous characters involved. I do not think that should prevent readers from enjoying this book. It is worth taking the time to read, and since it is a quick read, it will not take much time. I think it is best described as a cozy for the fantasy genre.
Pennington is best known for The Fourth Awakening Series.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com.
Rod Pennington's latest novel, Cassandra Files: Genesis, is a quick and enjoyable read.
A third-generation and well-respected Naval combat pilot, Lt. Cassandra Morse, is performing a test of a prototype fighter jet with her co-pilot grandfather when they are attacked. Missing for weeks after the accident, she has no memory of the lost time. Stranger still, she can see and talk with her grandfather, who died in the accident. No one believes her even when she begins having prophetic dreams. That is, no one believes her until her dreams come true, and her latest dream is the scariest yet.
While I enjoyed the story, I enjoyed Pennington's writing, use of strong women characters, and humor more. The story wraps everything up at the end, but he left room for a sequel too.
Some reviewers had a difficult time keeping track of the numerous characters involved. I do not think that should prevent readers from enjoying this book. It is worth taking the time to read, and since it is a quick read, it will not take much time. I think it is best described as a cozy for the fantasy genre.
Pennington is best known for The Fourth Awakening Series.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Hunt the Moon (Cassandra Palmer, #5) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Chance must have thought readers were bored with the Cassandra/Mircea match, because much of this book is spent with Cassie falling for Pritkin without really being aware that she's getting into dangerous territory.
Palmer isn't one of my favorite characters. She isn't an ass-kicker, but she's probably somewhat more realistic than most paranormal heroines for that fact. She's coming into her own by standing up to Mircea more in this volume, but she does it in childish ways. I find her annoying partially because I'd hate to try protecting her from herself, much less anyone else.
I don't honestly understand why Mircea and Pritkin are attracted to her, either, but part of the romance formula is the heroine has to be irresistible to at least one, preferably more than one man. I do find Mircea and Pritkin interesting (they just have bad taste in women), so they and the plots hold my interest.
To be fair, Cassie seems to be growing up a little bit. Not entirely, but she's growing a little. She does vehemently claim to care about whether or not other people get hurt trying to protect her.
This book also serves as backstory time for Mircea and Pritkin, as we learn a lot more about their pasts. Things drag a bit while they relate their stories, and in fact there seems to be little point in what we hear from Mircea (readers of the series already know a lot about his family and history).
Altogether, I wouldn't have read it if I weren't already so far into the series. I do wish Chance would switch focus to another character. (I'm aware of the Dorina Basarab series set in the same universe, and consider them to be better books in general). I suppose that's unlikely, seeing as it's the Cassandra Palmer series.
Palmer isn't one of my favorite characters. She isn't an ass-kicker, but she's probably somewhat more realistic than most paranormal heroines for that fact. She's coming into her own by standing up to Mircea more in this volume, but she does it in childish ways. I find her annoying partially because I'd hate to try protecting her from herself, much less anyone else.
I don't honestly understand why Mircea and Pritkin are attracted to her, either, but part of the romance formula is the heroine has to be irresistible to at least one, preferably more than one man. I do find Mircea and Pritkin interesting (they just have bad taste in women), so they and the plots hold my interest.
To be fair, Cassie seems to be growing up a little bit. Not entirely, but she's growing a little. She does vehemently claim to care about whether or not other people get hurt trying to protect her.
This book also serves as backstory time for Mircea and Pritkin, as we learn a lot more about their pasts. Things drag a bit while they relate their stories, and in fact there seems to be little point in what we hear from Mircea (readers of the series already know a lot about his family and history).
Altogether, I wouldn't have read it if I weren't already so far into the series. I do wish Chance would switch focus to another character. (I'm aware of the Dorina Basarab series set in the same universe, and consider them to be better books in general). I suppose that's unlikely, seeing as it's the Cassandra Palmer series.