The Alchemyst, Michael Scott

Name: The Alchemyst.

Author: Michael Scott.

Series: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. Book 1.

Publisher:  Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Format: Kindle.

Pages: 375 pàges.

Website: http://www.dillonscott.com/

About the author:

Irish-born Michael Scott began writing over twenty-five years ago, and is one of Ireland's most successful and prolific authors, with over one hundred titles to his credit, spanning a
variety of genres, including Fantasy, Science Fiction and Folklore.
He writes for both adults and young adults and is published in thirty-seven countries, in over twenty languages.
Praised for his “unparalleled contribution to children’s literature,” by the Guide to Children’s
Books, Michael Scott was the Writer in Residence during Dublin’s tenure as European City of Culture in 1991, and was featured in the 2006 edition of Who’s Who in Ireland as one of the 1000
most “significant Irish.”

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What goodreads says:

He holds the secret that can end the world.
The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life.
The records show that he died in 1418.
But his tomb is empty.
The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects—the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won't know what's happening until it's too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it.
Sometimes legends are true.
And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.

My opinion:

I read this book as BNC of January. And I have to say they have yet to choose a book I didn't like good work girls :) And James's bookmarks are awsome!!!

 

I loved this book it was really interesting. I always liked the legend surrounding Nicholas Flamel and his wife Perenelle, and this story is great putting them both in modern times with Nick as the owner of a bookstore.

Josh Newman works at this store, while his twin sister Sophie works in the coffee shop across the street. 

Until one day Nick's store is attacked by Doctor John Dee a horrible magician working for the Dark Elders who want the book containing the secrets of the Alchemy.

So Josh, Sophie and Nick have to run and on the way the twins will find out things about themselves they never new.

What I most liked about this book is all the ancient gods Michael includes here: Hecate, Morrigan, Baset... personally Heacte was my favorite :)

I also loved Scathach and Sophie although I found Josh a bit annoying, probably because he complained alot, then again if I was in his situation I would probably complain to, poor thing.

This book is fast paced full of magic adventure and old legends coming to life.

If you like fantasy books you'll enjoy this one.

I give it 4 stars.

Nathiel

Iron Knight, Julie Kagawa

Name: Iron Knight.

Author: Julie Kagawa.

Series: The Iron Fey Book 4.

Publisher: Harlequin

Format: Kindle.

Pages: 361 pages.

Website: http://www.juliekagawa.com

About the author:

Julie Kagawa was born in Sacramento, California. But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, at the age of nine she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos, and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn’t getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish, and the odd eel.

When not swimming for her life, Julie immersed herself in books, often to the chagrin of her schoolteachers, who would find she hid novels behind her Math textbooks during class. Her love of reading led her to pen some very dark and gruesome stories, complete with colored illustrations, to shock her hapless teachers. The gory tales faded with time, but the passion for writing remained, long after she graduated and was supposed to get a real job.

To pay the rent, Julie worked in different bookstores over the years, but discovered the managers frowned upon her reading the books she was supposed to be shelving. So she turned to her other passion: training animals. She worked as a professional dogtrainer for several years, dodging Chihuahua bites and overly enthusiastic Labradors, until her first book sold and she stopped training to write full-time.

Julie now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where the frequency of shark attacks are at an all time low. She lives with her husband, two obnoxious cats, one Australian Shepherd who is too smart for his own good, and the latest addition, a hyper-active Papillon puppy.

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What goodreads says:

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.
Unless he can earn a soul.
To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.
Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.
With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.
To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.
And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

My opinion:

Okay I hated this book, actually wait only joking I loved it, the only problem with it is that's it's the last one so no more Ash, Puck, Meghan, Grim... I'm going to miss them soo much *cries*

Anyway on to the review.

After the third book Meghan is now the Iron Queen and in order to be able to be with her, former Prince Ash of the winter court must earn a soul, and that is not an easy quest (believe me...) acompanied by his friend/enemy Robin Goodfellow (otherwise known as Puck), Grim and other "friends" from Ash's past, they will embarck on a journey towards the end of the world (literally) And pass some really hard tests.

This book was heartbreaking I was in tears by the end of it, I felt really sorry for Ash at some points, Grim as usual put the humor in every situation (where can I get a cat like that??) and seems unconcerned by anything happening around him and Puck is the best friend we all want to have (Cross that I'd rather have him as something else^^) and a thorn in the fey's side.

So yes I highly reccomend this book and this series :)
Some of my favorite quotes from this book:

"He bared his fangs at me. “Be careful, boy. In some tales, the hero gets eaten by the monster after all .”

"Stairs.” He grimaced. “I swear there must be like some secret code. All mysterious ancient temples must have a minimum of at least seven thousand steps to the front door."

I give it 5 stars.

Nathiel

Daughter of smoke and bone, Laini Taylor

Name: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Author: Laini Taylor

Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Book 1.

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Format: Kindle.

Pages: 432 pages.

Website: http://www.lainitaylor.com

About the author:

Laini is a writer of fantasy books for young people, but her books can be enjoyed by adults as well. Her 'Dreamdark' books, Blackbringer (2007) and Silksinger (2009) are about faeries -- not dainty little flowery things, but warrior-faeries who battle devils. And her first young adult book, Lips Touch, is a finalist for the 2009 National Book Award! It's creepy, sensual supernatural romance. . . about kissing. She is also an artist with a licensed gift product line called "Laini's Ladies."

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What goodreads says:

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

My opinion:

I read this book as BNC of December, yes I know I'm late but I was having some problems with posting on Blogger for some reason, hopefully their all sorted. As always excellent choice in book this one was amazing ;)

 Daughter of Smoke and Bone follows Kaoru's story a young girl who grew up running errands (collecting teeth for wishes) for Brimstone, a chimaera (part animal, part human) and is happy although she could do without meeting the lowest people of society.
In her free time she draws, for her human friends she draws the chimaera (of course humans believe their just her imagination) and for her chimaera family she draws humans.
Until one day she meets Akiva, an angel who tries to kill her, and everything changes.
Suddenly the portals to Elsewhere are gone and Kaoru is stranded in the human world, alone, but not for long.
I loved this story Kaoru is awsome, she's brave, loyal, caring and she knows martian arts :) She's got blue hair (I had blue hair once...) speaks 8 languages and is an amazing artist.
I loved her story with Akiva. Akiva is like an avenging angel, all you know warriorlike, cold, no mercy, no pity, no hope. Until he meets Kaoru that is, and something about her makes him hesitate (thankfully)
I loved the secondary characters. My favorite is: Zuzana, Kaoru's best human friend. I loved her theatre of marionettes it would be amazing to see, and heartbreaking I bet.
The main storyline is centered around Prague, and if the city is anything like it's described in all the books I've read about it I will have to visit it sometime, somehow. But Laini also transports you to diferent parts of the world: Paris, Morrocco....
Laini is a great storyteller and I can't wait to read the next one, because with the ending of this one she left me heartbroken!!

I give it 4 stars.

Nathiel

Clockwork Prince, Cassandra Clare

 

Name: Clockwork Prince.

Author: Cassandra Clare.

Series: The Infernal Devices, Book 2.
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry. Kindle
Format: Kindle.
Pages: .
Website: http://www.cassandraclare.com/
About the author:
Cassandra Clare was born overseas and spent her early years traveling around the world with her family and several trunks of fantasy books. Cassandra worked for several years as an entertainment journalist for the Hollywood Reporter before turning her attention to fiction. She is the author of City of Bones, the first book in the Mortal Instruments trilogy and a New York Times bestseller. Cassandra lives with her fiance and their two cats in Massachusetts.
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What goodreads says:
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

Book Trailer:


My opinion:

I read this book as BNC of Christmas:

And I have to say one word AMAZING, I love Cassandra Clare's work and the way she writes making you feel as if you were living the story. But when I thought her writing couldn't get better, she writes Clockwork Prince. I can't believe the action, the love, the betrayal (I was totally surprised by that one) and everything that happens in this book, it's a book that once you pick it up you won't be able to put it down.

I have to say I was bawling my eyes out when I discovered why Will is the way he is and practically jumping up and down when he found... well you know (if you've read the book)

Jem was incredibly sweet and lovable, as usual, he's impossible to not like come on!! I hope they find a cure for him, it would break my heart if not.

Tessa is growing on me and although I think she's a bit selfish, she also tries to do what's right and she does love both boys (Who doesn't?? Even if your one team or the other you have to admit both of them have certain charms)

I love Charlotte and Henry even more than ever, and Sophie is so sweet, I also like Gideon Lightwood more and more.

Will being right about something and the way he reactioned to being right was so funny I nearly chocked on my cup of tea.

And finally Magnus Bane is the best, what happened with Will I was laughing my head of (not literally) and he was so nice to Will, that I love him even more.

I give it 5 stars because it was so amazing and because I can't give it any more. But it should have 10 or more :)

Summers Crossing, Julie Kagawa

Name: Summers Crossing.

Author: Julie Kagawa.

Series: The Iron Fey Book 3.5.

Publisher: Harlequin

Format: Kindle.

Pages: 72 pages.

Website: http://www.juliekagawa.com

About the author:

Julie Kagawa was born in Sacramento, California. But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, at the age of nine she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos, and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn’t getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish, and the odd eel.

When not swimming for her life, Julie immersed herself in books, often to the chagrin of her schoolteachers, who would find she hid novels behind her Math textbooks during class. Her love of reading led her to pen some very dark and gruesome stories, complete with colored illustrations, to shock her hapless teachers. The gory tales faded with time, but the passion for writing remained, long after she graduated and was supposed to get a real job.

To pay the rent, Julie worked in different bookstores over the years, but discovered the managers frowned upon her reading the books she was supposed to be shelving. So she turned to her other passion: training animals. She worked as a professional dogtrainer for several years, dodging Chihuahua bites and overly enthusiastic Labradors, until her first book sold and she stopped training to write full-time.

Julie now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where the frequency of shark attacks are at an all time low. She lives with her husband, two obnoxious cats, one Australian Shepherd who is too smart for his own good, and the latest addition, a hyper-active Papillon puppy.

Where can you buy it:

Amazon 

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What goodreads says:

A Midsummer's Nightmare? Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Summer Court prankster, King Oberon's right hand, bane of many a faery queen's existence—and secret friend to Prince Ash of the Winter Court. Until one girl's death came between them, and another girl stole both their hearts.Now Ash has granted one favor too many and someone's come to collect, forcing the prince to a place he cannot go without Puck's help—into the heart of the Summer Court. And Puck faces the ultimate choice—betray Ash and possibly win the girl they both love, or help his former friend turned bitter enemy pull off a deception that no true faery prankster could possibly resist.

My opinion:

So in this short Novella we get to see how Puck and Ash interact when Meghan isn't around. After the Heartbreaking ending in book 3 (yes I'm still thinking about it....) Puck and Ash are going in search of Grim, trouble is Grim doesn't really feel like being found (I love that cat)  but before that Lea the exiled queen, calls Ash upon the favour he owns her, Ash has to get back a "Violin" that someone stole from her. Easy right? Well not so much seing that the person who stole it is Queen Titania, Queen of the Summer Court. So Ash, with Puck's help must disguse himself in order to get into the Summer Court without being killed. I really felt sorry for Puck and was scared for a moment as he seemed to have done something unthinkable, but then I breathed calmly again as he didn't really do what he had seemed to do (confusing right?? Well unless you've read the book, in that case you'll know what I'm talking about)

In all this book was awsome but short so it get's 4 stars.

Nathiel

The Iron Queen, Julie Kagawa

Name: The Iron Daughter.

Author: Julie Kagawa.

Series: The Iron Fey Book 3.

Publisher: Harlequin

Format: Kindle.

Pages: 358 pages. 

Website: http://www.juliekagawa.com

About the author:

Julie Kagawa was born in Sacramento, California. But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, at the age of nine she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos, and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn’t getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish, and the odd eel.

When not swimming for her life, Julie immersed herself in books, often to the chagrin of her schoolteachers, who would find she hid novels behind her Math textbooks during class. Her love of reading led her to pen some very dark and gruesome stories, complete with colored illustrations, to shock her hapless teachers. The gory tales faded with time, but the passion for writing remained, long after she graduated and was supposed to get a real job.

To pay the rent, Julie worked in different bookstores over the years, but discovered the managers frowned upon her reading the books she was supposed to be shelving. So she turned to her other passion: training animals. She worked as a professional dogtrainer for several years, dodging Chihuahua bites and overly enthusiastic Labradors, until her first book sold and she stopped training to write full-time.

Julie now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where the frequency of shark attacks are at an all time low. She lives with her husband, two obnoxious cats, one Australian Shepherd who is too smart for his own good, and the latest addition, a hyper-active Papillon puppy.

Where can you buy it:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Book Depository

What goodreads says:

My name is Meghan Chase.I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.
This time, there will be no turning back.

My opinion:

Is crying in a dark corner while writing this review. Why?? Julie just broke my heart!!! The ending nooo.... okay breath, breath. Okay now for the review.

In the begining we see Ash and Meghan going to the human realm in order to live a normal human life (I can just imagine Ash, actually wait no I can't...) but... they are interrupted just as they arrive by the False Iron King trying to kidnap Meghan in order to obtain her power.

Meghan is growing up (soo proud of her :)) she's brave and loyal and I have to say she can kick ass.

I can't believe that after all they've been through the Fey would have the guts of asking from them yet another sacrifice, but there you are, that's Fey for you....

I've loved Ash from the begining (dreamy eyes) and Puck grew on my slowly but shurely, and now I can't decide which is my favorite, so I'll keep both of them^^

I can't wait to read Iron Knight!!!!

I give it 5 stars.

The Iron Daughter, Julie Kagawa

Name: The Iron Daughter.

Author: Julie Kagawa.

Series: The Iron Fey Book 2.

Publisher: Harlequin

Format: Kindle.

Pages: 350 pages. 

Website: http://www.juliekagawa.com

About the author:

Julie Kagawa was born in Sacramento, California. But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, at the age of nine she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos, and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn’t getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish, and the odd eel.

When not swimming for her life, Julie immersed herself in books, often to the chagrin of her schoolteachers, who would find she hid novels behind her Math textbooks during class. Her love of reading led her to pen some very dark and gruesome stories, complete with colored illustrations, to shock her hapless teachers. The gory tales faded with time, but the passion for writing remained, long after she graduated and was supposed to get a real job.

To pay the rent, Julie worked in different bookstores over the years, but discovered the managers frowned upon her reading the books she was supposed to be shelving. So she turned to her other passion: training animals. She worked as a professional dogtrainer for several years, dodging Chihuahua bites and overly enthusiastic Labradors, until her first book sold and she stopped training to write full-time.

Julie now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where the frequency of shark attacks are at an all time low. She lives with her husband, two obnoxious cats, one Australian Shepherd who is too smart for his own good, and the latest addition, a hyper-active Papillon puppy.

Where can you buy it:

Amazon

Book Depository

Barnes and Noble

What goodreads says:

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron Fey, iron-bound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's alone in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

My opinion:

My love for this series gets bigger and bigger every day :) I have to say I'm so glad it was chosen as BNC of the month last November otherwise I might of not read it until... well I don't know although maybe it wouldn't of taken my that long... but with all the new books coming out.

Okay so of to the book. What can I say the Winter Court is awsome in it's evilness :) Meghan is captured in the Winter Court with no powers and completly alone, as her Winter Prince Ash, doesn't seem to like her anymore... (bad Ash ^^)

Meghan tries to warn Queen Mab about the Iron Fey but she doesn't listen to her (not surprising really Queen Mab doesn't really listen to anyone) But when the Scepter of the Seasons is stolen it's up to Meghan, Ash, Puck and Grim to rescue it, with the help of other friends on the way. I have to admit I cried alot and the ending? Well the ending was perfect but heartbreaking.

I've also finished The Iron Queen and Summer's Crossing so I'll post a review in a mo'.

I give it 5 stars.