Mundie Moms

Monday, May 20, 2013

The Bane Chronicles: The Runaway Queen by Cassandra Clare & Maureen Johnson; Book Review


By: Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson
Published by: Simon & Schuster
To Be Released On: May 21st, 2013
Series: The Bane Chronicles part #2
Source: received unedited book to review from one of the authors
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads

Magnus Bane has a royal role in the French Revolution—if the angry mobs don’t spoil his spells. One of ten adventures in The Bane Chronicles.

While in France, immortal warlock Magnus Bane finds himself attempting to rescue the royal family from the horrors of the French Revolution—after being roped into this mess by a most attractive count. Naturally, the daring escape calls for invisible air balloons…

This standalone e-only short story illuminates the life of the enigmatic Magnus Bane, whose alluring personality populates the pages of the #1New York Times bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices series. This story in The Bane Chronicles, The Runaway Queen, is written by Maureen Johnson and Cassandra Clare.


We're only a few hours away from the release on The Runaway Queen, the 2nd installment in Cassie Clare, Maureen Johnson & Sarah Rees Brennan's The Bane Chronicles! I had the chance to read this last week and LOVED it! The only thing that stinks with installments like this, is they're too short. I want more. 

My thoughts:
Magnus, Paris, the French Revolution. This second installment is fabulous!! Magnus is my favorite character of Cassie's, and I love getting more of history. There's some fabulous new characters introduced into this story, and the way history was tied into The Runaway Queen was perfect! I loved it. I can't wait for the next installment.

Will you be picking up the second installment when it's out? 

Book Review: September Girls by Bennett Madison



By: Bennett Madison
Published by: Harper Teen
To Be Released on: May 21st, 2013
Source: arc from publisher to review
0 Stars: Did Not Finish
Pick it up at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads

When Sam's dad whisks him and his brother off to a remote beach town for the summer, he's all for it-- at first. Sam soon realizes, though, that this place is anything but ordinary. Time seems to slow down around here, and everywhere he looks, there are beautiful blond girls. Girls who seem inexplicably drawn to him. 

Then Sam meets DeeDee, one of the Girls, and she's different from the others. Just as he starts to fall for her, she pulls away, leaving him more confused than ever. He knows that if he's going to get her back, he'll have to uncover the secret of this beach and the girls who live here


There was been some exciting hype about September Girls. Just in time for summer, a book with a cover that pulls me in, a premise that promises a hot summer romance, and mermaids! How can I say no to that right? Plus it's written from a guy's point of view, with a male main character. I'm hooked, and I want more.

This pains me to write, because I have reviewed very few books I didn't like or I didn't finish, but this sadly falls under that category. First, I like the cover. LIke I mentioned above, I liked the premise of the book. September Girls sounded like a good Summer read that was about romance, first loves, and mermaids. That wasn't really what I got out of the chapters I read. Yes, there are mermaids in this book, and I did like that the story alternates between the main character Sam, and the mermaids voice, but I couldn't keep up with all the F bombs and talk of getting laid or jacking off. Sorry, being blunt and taking it right out of the book. I'm someone who does not mind a few curse words in a book, or dropping a f-word hear or there, but I do have an issue with over using the f-word, and it was used A LOT.

The other issue I have, is the jacking off, getting laid talk. Yes, I get they are guys, and yes I know this is something teenage guys talk about a lot, do, whatever. I don't care to read about it in a YA book as often as it was mentioned within the first 7 chapters. I want to get to know the characters not read over and over again how often Sam likes to us the F-word and that his brother wants to get him laid. I do want to point out that I did want to feel for Sam, who's coping with a mother who has left him, a Dad who's not really there. The start to his summer wasn't looking like it was going to get any better, but now that his older brother has come back for the Summer, and there are these hot girls every where, Sam's Summer might be better than he thought it was going to be.

If I had made some sort of connection with Sam in the beginning, than maybe I would have read more of the story despite the things that totally turned me off with the book, but I never got that connection like I wanted from the author. Now this story might get better as the book goes, and it might have some great characters, but it definitely was not a book I enjoyed. I rarely stop reading a book, but this is one book I couldn't finish, which is why I'm also not rating it. I made it almost to chapter 7 and had to stop reading it. It really wasn't my cup of tea at all. It's not that the writing was all that bad, it just wasn't for my taste. Now someone else who doesn't mind all this might like the book.

I'm disappointed this book didn't live up to the hype I excepted it to be. The down side to reviewing is to post a review for a book that I can't say I loved or enjoyed or it was good. BUT again, just because I didn't love it, doesn't mean someone else won't. With the way this book was written, and the ages of the characters I felt this was a book that was much better suited as a New Adult than a YA.

Cassie's Character Q&A on Twitter: Mundane Monday #185


Happy Mundane Monday! Yesterday on Twitter Cassie rewarded Shadowhunter fans who got #TMILondonpremiere to trend worldwide with a character Q&A. She answered as many character questions as she could, before being sent to Twitter jail, also known as the Silent City if you're a Shadowhunter fan.

Here are Cassie's questions and answers


Per @CassieClare: Rules of the character Q&A: you have to ask the character directly “Will, why do you hate ducks?” not me — and no spoilers.
RT @okaybieber: ” Jace, will you marry me?” If you want to deal with Clary’s wrath, you can try.
RT @Idealbiebs: ” Will, what do you like most about Tessa?” In the “printable” category, that she loves books like I do.
RT @EvieStannard: ” Sebastian, why are you so obsessed with world domination?” Everything is prettier when it’s burning.
RT @always_cato: ” Chairman Meow, do you get well with Church?” Who?
RT @nataliebrinkley: ” Cecily has Gabriel’s kissing improved?” It is on an upward incline. At least an 8.
RT @carstairspayne: ” Will how big is your dragon of wales tattoo” It does not extend beyond, um…let’s just say about the size of a hand.
RT @Catreads: “Will, size of a man’s hand or a woman’s hand? ;) ” Like a very large man’s hand.
RT @cyrusaddiction: ” Will, is it posible that you are so much alike jace?” Who?
RT @C_CecilyH: “: Gabriel, what was the first thing that went through your head when you saw Cecy?” “She looks like Will.” oh, dear.
RT @TMI_Institute: ” Jem, have you noticed Church yet? I think he would be pleased to see you!” I pet him when no one’s looking.
RT @empty_gl4ss: ” Jem, if you weren’t dying, do you think you would have still fallen in love with Tessa?” Yes, more quickly, most likely.
RT @ShipMalec: ” Maia, was it very hard for you to forgive Jordan?” yes, and I am not always sure I entirely have.
RT @Simplyhannah_2: ” Tessa, what do you think about the herondale boys’ fear of ducks?” Silly boys
RT @con0rsrunes: ” simon, why won’t you just try explaining everything to your mother again” she doesn’t want to hear it. :(
RT @SweetSugarcube_: ” Jace, Can I touch your mango?” Really it should have been a much bigger fruit. Maybe a pineapple.
RT @WendyStalder: ” Magnus, which century do you like the most ?” I quite liked France before the revolution.
RT @slytheriz: ” “Emma, what is your favorite rune?” Strength.
RT @caamila_nicolee: ” Maia, do you still have feelings for Simon?” No. I hope it works out with him and Izzy.
RT @McFlyBitch: ” Magnus, do you like South America?” Aside from being banned from Peru, yes.
RT @Schursch: ” Woolsey, which person from aesthetic circles you would share a cup of tea and an art talk with?” Swinburne.
RT @bookwormchrissy: ” Lucie, what three words best describe your brother?” studious, quiet, bit of a crammer really
RT @Selina_Souza: ” Camille, how did you get over Magnus?” One never really gets over Magnus
RT @Catreads: ” Izzy, do you feel threatened by Maureen?” Only in the physical sense. She’s very crazy.@maureenjohnson
RT @LeireSwaggy: :” Jem, why are you si perfect?” Jem is far too modest to answer such questions
RT @cold_for_angels: ” James, how did you meet Matthew?” In school, in Idris.
RT @CIaryHerondale: ” Jace, if you could have one day with your father Stephen what would you do?” Ask him about my mother.
RT @BeMyTobias: ” Emma why you wanna be like Jace?” When he was my age, he was the best young Shadowhunter. I want to be the best young Sh.
RT @VintageVampyre: ” Jem, What is your ideal girl?” Well…Tessa, of course.
RT @mortalinstitute: ” Alec, what do you love the most about Magnus?” I love when he calls me back.
RT @ameli4pond: Magnus, do you miss Ragnor a lot?” Yes. You don’t tend to keep a lot of friends when you’re immortal.
RT @WeLoveHPJV: ” Simon, if u could choose would u rather be a werewolf, vampire or a shadowhunter?” Shadowhunter.
RT @ATL_rulana: ” Lucie, who is your cute short red haired friend?” Cordelia?
RT @imaginekerrie: ” Sebastian, can I help you be less ‘lonely’?” I’m never lonely. But sure. If you survive, you’ll have a great time.
RT @TMI_Poland: ” Magnus have You ever been in Poland? ” Of course.
RT @jonasherondale: ” Jace, why are you so cute, perfect and funny?” I ask myself that all the time
RT @AzOOAK: ” Isabelle, have you ever thought of Simon ascending?” Vampires can’t. :(
RT @carstairspayne: ” tessa what is your relationship status with jem right now” “It’s complicated”
RT @theherondale: ” Magnus, Do you miss Alec after you two broke up?” I miss him.
“Julian, describe Emma in three words” Um… “DOES NOT LISTEN”
RT @fly_me_to_MARs: “Jessie, was Nate being human the only reason you fell in love with him?” He wasn’t a very good human, was he?
RT @PresidenteMiau_: ” Will, what do you feel because Tessa is young forever?” I worry she will find me old and hideous.
RT @TMI_Honduras: “Jace, aren’t you worried about Sebastian burning down the world?” He doesn’t want to burn it, he wants to rule it.
I love it when Cassie does these. My favorite answer by far was Will's answer about how large his Dragon tattoo is. What's your favorite answer? 

The Mortal Instruments Movie Monday #19: Trending the TMILondonPremiere on Twitter


Welcome to this week's edition of The Mortal Instruments Movie Monday. Yesterday Cassie took to Twitter to rally Shadowhunter fans to help her with a The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie premiere campaign in London. Currently the only world wide release is set in Los Angeles, CA in August. There's talk of the possibility of one being in Toronto, where the movie was set, but right now that's just rumors. It's also been mentioned that if there is a premiere in Europe, it will be in London. No other countries have currently been mentioned. 

Per @CassieCassie on Twitter:
The only premiere in Europe would be London. It's that or nothing. :) So if you're in Europe, tweet @heroindale
Cassie also told fans:
If you want the UK movie people to see your messages, you have to use — tell them you DEMAND a premiere. :)
UK shadowhunter fans rocked this campaign and in no time had it trending!

Per Cassie:
*shadowhunter applause*

It wasn't long after it was trending in the UK, that it was trending World wide!



As soon as fan's hit their goal, Cassie had this to say:

SHADOWHUNTERS. We are good. We trended. We rule. YOU rule. Now, I owe you, so — character Q&A?
You can read it here

Let's hope fans through out the world get their chance to see The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie premiere in their countries too! This is a world wide fandom, and it definitely deserves a world wide movie premiere outside of the USA. 

Must Have Middle Grade Monday: It's Back!

I'm a little embarrassed at how long it's been since I've posted this on Mundie Moms. As in since last fall. I know, it's horrible. I've read a lot of great children's books in that time frame, but some how life has just gotten crazy and I didn't get these posts up. So, enough with the excuses.


Here are this past week's reviews you'll find on Mundie Kids from this past week:



Stop by to check out the MK's tour stop for Walden Pond Press's The Hero's Guide To Storming Your Castle blog tour

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