Mundie Moms

Thursday, July 31, 2014

The Time of The Fireflies by Kimberly Griffith, Book Trailer Reveal

Hello MG (middle grade) readers! I've got a fabulous treat for you today. I'm so thrilled to be revealing Kimberly Griffiths Little's book trailer for her The TIME of The FIREFLIES. Before you check out the trailer, here's a little bit about her book:



When Larissa Renaud starts receiving eerie phone calls on a disconnected old phone in her family's antique shop, she knows she's in for a strange summer. A series of clues leads her to the muddy river banks, where clouds of fireflies dance among the cypress knees and cattails each evening at twilight. The fireflies are beautiful and mysterious, and they take her on a magical journey through time, where Larissa learns secrets about her family's tragic past -- deadly, curse-ridden secrets that could harm the future of her family as she knows it. It soon becomes clear that it is up to Larissa to prevent history from repeating itself and a fatal tragedy from striking the people she loves.

Critically acclaimed author Kimberley Griffiths Little spins a thrilling tale filled with family secrets, haunting mystery, and dangerous adventure in the story of one girl's race to unravel the curse that has haunted her family for generations. (Synopsis from Scholastic Press)


Order from:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to  Goodreads! 



 



Professional Reviews for The TIME of The FIREFLIES: 


“Haunting, well-constructed tale . . . A plot filled with suspense, adventure, and mystery.  Perfect choice for lovers of ghost stories, historical fiction, or just a good yarn.”
—School Library Journal

“Little’s strengths lie in building a strong sense of the history of a place, its inhabitants, and how one can greatly affect the other. A satisfyingly creepy mystery, wrapped up in the bonds of family.” —Publisher’s Weekly 

“Suspense builds quickly and doesn’t falter . . . Larissa’s first-person narration is fresh and engaging, and the richly evoked south Louisiana setting serves to ground this ethereal tale in a real time and place while contributing to the mysterious mood it requires. —Kirkus Reviews 



Find Kimberly via: 
Enter To Win
A signed finished hardcover copy as well as some swag, including a glow-in-the-dark firefly necklace. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Homeroom Diaries by James Patterson, Giveaway

Happy almost end of the week! One more day to go until it's Friday!! I've got a little treat for you to make your Thursday that much more enjoyable. Today I'm thrilled to spotlight a new YA book out from acclaimed author James Patterson. His newest YA book, Homeroom Diaries has recently hit shelves, but I've got a copy of it, and a few other James Patterson goodies to giveaway today. First, here's a little bit about Homeroom Diaries:


ABOUT THE BOOK
In James Patterson's first highly illustrated "diary fiction" story for teens, the mega-bestselling author's most endearing and original teen heroine ever proves that everyone can use a helping hand once in a while.

Margaret "Cuckoo" Clarke recently had a brief stay in a mental institution following an emotional breakdown, but she's turning over a new leaf with her "Happiness Project". She's determined to beat down the bad vibes of the Haters, the Terror Teachers, and all of the trials and tribulations of high school by writing and drawing in her diary. And when life gets really tough, she works through her own moments of uncertainty through imaginary conversations with her favorite literary characters.

Cuckoo's also got a nearly impossible mission: she, along with her misfit band of self-deprecating friends (who call themselves "the Freakshow") decide to bridge the gap between warring cliques and "bring the Nations together". Not everyone is so willing to join hands and get along, but Cuckoo never stops smiling...until one of her closest friends, pushed to desperation by a Hater prank, decides that enough is enough.

Purchase from:
·         Apple Store
·         Barnes & Noble
·         Buy.com
·         Google eBooks
·         IndieBound
·         Kobo eBooks
·         Powells
·         Target
·         Walmart
·         Amazon

Breakfast Served Anytime by Sarah Combs, Book Review

By: Sarah Combs
Publisher: Candlewick
Release Date: April 8, 2014
Source: netgalley

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 quirky and perfect stars 

Buy: IndieBound | Barnes and Noble | amazon | Book Depository

Breakfast Served Anytime

Synopsis:  A coming-of-age debut evokes the bittersweet joys and pangs of finding independence in one unforgettable summer away at "geek camp."

When Gloria sets out to spend the summer before her senior year at a camp for gifted and talented students, she doesn’t know quite what to expect. Fresh from the heartache of losing her grandmother and missing her best friend, Gloria resolves to make the best of her new circumstances. But some things are proving to be more challenging than she expected. Like the series of mysterious clues left by a certain Professor X before he even shows up to teach his class, Secrets of the Written Word. Or the very sweet, but very conservative, roommate whose coal-industry family champions mountaintop removal. Not to mention the obnoxious Mason, who dresses like the Mad Hatter and immediately gets on Gloria’s nerves — but somehow won’t escape her thoughts.

Beautifully told by debut author Sarah Combs, this honest and touching story of growing up is imbued with the serene atmosphere of Kentucky’s natural landscape.

You guys know how I love tension in a story, well, I'm here to say that every once in a while a quiet story catches my attention. In the inner sanctum of my reader's heart, I'm a character-driven reader. I fall easily for well constructed fictional people and I fell hard for quirky Gloria. Every detail about her, from her love of To Kill a Mockingbird to her habit of adding little bits of findings and scraps to her Gloria Bishop Book of Ephemera made me love her more. The geek camp setting allows Sarah Combs to explore even more interesting characters and every, single one (and I do mean, every single one) is worthwhile meeting.

There are not many stories like this one. There are flashier titles out there. But in my summer reading so far, I haven't come across a book like this. Everyone in this story is so much deeper than they first appear to be and everyone serves a purpose in showing how, in the end (and in spite of changing circumstances), the characters remain true to themselves.

I realize I'm babbling, so let me use one of my favorite quotes from the book, and I know it will resonate with my fellow bookworms. In one of the class assignments, Gloria explains her love of To Kill a Mockingbird and how it's meaningful to her because it was her grandmother's favorite (page 245):
I guess what I'm trying to say is that sometimes you can love a book not so much because of what it's about or what happens in it, but because it belongs to a certain time or person in your life -- like you'll always remember where you were when you read it for the first time, or who gave it to you, or what season it was, or who you were before you read it and how you were different when it was over.
See what I mean? Sarah's writing rings true and her words simply slice through that reader-heart of mine.

When you're tired of quick beach reads, cute romances or the latest buzzy title, pick up Breakfast Served Everywhere. I guarantee you will fall in love with Sarah's characters. What a memorable debut story, and yes, now I want more stories from Sarah.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart, Book Review


By: E. Lockhart
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: May 13, 2014
Source: Purchased

Rating: 5 out of 5 summery sky stars

Buy: IndieBound | amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository

We Were Liars

Synopsis: A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from National Book Award finalist and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.


Oh, E. (Emily) Lockhart, you wrote this book just for me. Little known facts about me: I love, love, love stories about large families. Large, privileged families with lots of secrets and in-fighting are even better. I think it's because I grew up in the very opposite of that. No trust fund, no private schools, no islands owned by my grandfather that I could conveniently spend my summers on with the rest of my very privileged cousins. But it doesn't stop me from wondering what it would be like. Emily gives us just those glimpses. The Sinclairs are full of old money, but as the older generation carves and clings to what they think should be theirs, the younger one bonds carelessly realizing that perhaps there is more to life than percentages of inheritance.

Cadence with her cousins, Johnny and Mirren, and their friend, Gat, have spent summers together on her grandfather's island since they were eight years old. Together they are The Liars. I loved the tightness of their group, and their exclusivity (ignoring their younger cousins and the older generation, too). The Liars questions their parents' preoccupation with inheritance, class and race. And don't worry, Mundie Moms, there is a sweetness to the budding romance between Cady and Gat, who as an outsider, continually questions the lifestyle level maintained by the older generation of Sinclairs.

And then in the summer of their fifteenth year, everything backfires. There is an event that causes Cady to have amnesia, and she becomes my favorite of all protagonists -- a very unreliable narrator. The story twists as Cady begins to remember events slowly and the unfolding of the plot reminded me of the last of those summer vacation sunsets. You know it's coming, you just want it to last.

If you're looking for a summer story that will be predictable, don't pick up We Were Liars. Also, set aside some time. Trust me on this. You will not be able to put it down. I finished it in one long flight and it has easily become my very favorite summer read of 2014.

- - -
Emily and Delacorte have set up a We Were Liars tumblr and a pinterest (you know how I love that!) board -- be sure to check those out.

Sisters' Fate by Jessica Spotswood, Waiting on Wednesday #220


By: Jessica Spotswood
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date:  August 14, 2014
Series: The Cahill Witch Chronicles #3
Sisters' Fate (The Cahill Witch Chronicles, #3)

A fever ravages New London, but with the Brotherhood sending suspected witches straight to the gallows, the Sisters are powerless against the disease. They can’t help without revealing their powers—as Cate learns when a potent display of magic turns her into the most wanted witch in all of New England.

To make matters worse, Cate has been erased from the memory of her beloved Finn. While she’s torn between protecting him from further attacks and encouraging him to fall for her all over again, she’s certain she can never forgive Maura’s betrayal. And now that Tess’s visions have taken a deadly turn, the prophecy that one Cahill sister will murder another looms ever closer to its fulfillment.

Katie's reviews of Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1) and Star Cursed (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #2) make me want to catch up to this series right away! "Twists, betrayals, romance, magic and war"?!?! That's my kind of story. Who's joining me in reading the first two books in the series before the last one comes out??? 

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Just One Night by Gayle Forman, Book Review


Series: Just One Day 2.5
Publisher: Viking Childrens
Release Date: May 29, 2014
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5 out of 5 starry stars -- I loved it!

Buy: iBooks | bamkindle | nook | kobo

Just One Night (Just One Day, #2.5)

Synopsis:  After spending one life-changing day in Paris with laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter, sheltered American good girl Allyson “Lulu” Healey discovered her new lover had disappeared without a trace. Just One Day followed Allyson’s quest to reunite with Willem; Just One Year chronicled the pair’s year apart from Willem’s perspective. Now, back together at last, this delectable e-novella reveals the couple’s final chapter.

(SPOILER WARINING: This is the 2.5-ish installment of the series, my assumption is that you've read the first two books. If you haven't, proceed with caution because there are massive spoilers ahead)

My kindle informs me that this e-novella was only 43 pages. Well, it was 43 pages of pure, unfiltered fangirlish delight.. Let me back up a sec, you see I was maybe one of the few who actually liked the ending of Just One Year. I completely got the cinematic feeling of the abrupt moment as the curtain was drawn and we all thought, "NOOOOOOO! Don't stop there, Gayle!!!!".  I got it. I did. It was fitting to the story of Allyson and Willem. They were these two strangers that were never really supposed to hit it off. Never really supposed to fall in love. And certainly, all those missed opportunities were never, ever supposed to lead to crossed paths once again. But (SPOILER), they did. And then what happened?

Gayle gives us the "what happened" bits, and she paces it along quite nicely so you're left with that feeling of okay, I get it. What happened was…what was supposed to happen. Sometimes, I think we readers are a little too curious with our What Ifs, but in this case, I am so glad that Gayle listened and gave us her What If.

If you haven't bought it, yes, it's well worth the price (currently $0.99 in most formats).  Gayle also taped 5 episodes of her reading Just One Night on Penguin Teen's You Tube channel. Here's the first part (phew, what a "goodnight story"):

Twitter Tuesday: Gayle Forman's If I Stay Movie Sountrack List

The twitterverse was all abuzz a few days ago with the newly revealed "If I Stay" soundtrack song list. I know I speak for Katie, Shandra and Emm when I say we are genuinely excited about this movie. Everything looks so just-the-way-we-pictured-it-when-we-read-it.

1.   "Who Needs You" - The Orwels
2.   "Until We Get There" - Lucius
3.   "I Want What You Have" - Willamette Stone
4.   "All of Me" - Tanlines
5.   "Promise" - Ben Howard
6.   "Never Coming Down" - Willamette Stone
7.   "Halo" - Ane Brun and Linnéa Olsson
8.   "I Will Be There" - Odessa
9.   "Mind" - Willamette Stone
10. "Morning" - Beck
11. "Karen Revisited" - Sonic Youth
12. "Today" - Willamette Stone
13. "Heart Like Yours" - Willamette Stone
14. "Heal (If I Stay Version)" - Tom Odell

Did you notice all the Williamette Stone songs? That's Adam's band! For legal reasons, the name of the band has been changed from Shooting Star to Willamette Stone. I don't think any of us really mind that change. And guess what? Yes, you can hear samples of the Willamette Stone tracks on soundcloud.

For creative readers, there's even a fan art challenge with weekly prizes!

But, this is what we really wanted to see -- more of the movie! So, here's the clip that was shown on this weekend's mtvU Fandom Awards:



Oh, I am so ready to see this movie! It will open in theaters on August 22nd. You can follow the latest movie updates on their official webpage or on the movie's twitter account.

Monday, July 28, 2014

A Thank You from Cassie for the Birthday Wishes

Art by aegisdea
A message from Cassie to all her fans who wished her a happy birthday:
AWWWWWWW.I feel verys loved. Thanks for all the nice messages, everyone! I spent the day pushing Holly into a pond, good times.
Don't you love aegisdea's art? She always captures the emotion of the moment so well. And LOL, poor Holly!

A TDA Snippet: A Little Cristina

Cristina by CassandraJean
Cassie released this snippet from The Dark Artifices today:
Cristina looked after Emma, her hand going to the pendant at her own throat. It was silver, in the shape of a circle with a rose inside it. The rose was wrapped around with thorny briars. Words were written in Latin on the back: she didn’t need to look at them to know them. She’d known them all her life. Blessed be the Angel my strength who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. The rose for Rosales, the words for Raziel, the Angel who had created the Shadowhunters a thousand years ago. Cristina had always thought Emma fought for her parabatai and for revenge, while she fought for family and faith. But maybe it was all the same thing: maybe it was all love, in the end.
Oh, I think we're going to love Cristina!

Random House Childrens UK Magisterium Pre-Order Page with Game


Did you guys see Random House Childrens UK, pre-order page for Magisterium: The Iron Trial?



















'
Five trials? One for each school year? And wait, there's a game on here, too! NO, I am NOT obsessively sorting those light and dark stones. I don't have time for this. Hang on, kids, the beach will have to wait for a few more minutes. I think I've got this.

Mundane Monday #220 - Jem

Jem and Tessa by CROvalentina
This line in City of Heavenly Fire just cracks me up every single time I read it, because isn't everyone obviously Team Jem??? (See what happens when Katie's on vacation? No one here to argue Team Will with me ;)  ):

“Okayyyyy,” Isabelle said in a low voice, “When did Brother Zachariah get hot?”

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Happy Birthday, Cassie!

Happy birthday, Cassie! We wish you all the very best this year and always!

I know that most of us  like to picture Cassie celebrating her birthday surrounded by her characters, but we hope that she's surrounded by her family, friends and loved ones today (and of course, we hope that she's taken a bit of a break from writing to enjoy her day):

Happy Birthday, Cassie by Charlotte Mattey

























Cassie, Katie B and Holly at BEA in May 2014
This is definitely a day to break out those tiaras, Mundie Moms. Holly's is fabulous in the photo above!

Cassandra Jean also posted something very birthday appropriate!

Clary and Jace join the X-Men by Cassandra Jea

Cassie On Fictional Boys

Mr. Herondale by rarachelmarie
We love when Cassie answers questions like this, especially when she includes both Will and Mr. Darcy in her answer.

Q. I’m not sure if you have a boyfriend/husband but if you don’t.. Does writing about make characters such as Jace, Will, Jem, Alec, Simon and so on give you high expectations of when looking for guys? Or do you think it gives other people high expectations? Maybe their qualities are what you found in other people? — theres—always—hope
Cassie: I am married. Four year anniversary coming up. I think we get tin or paper or something. Before that I had boyfriends who I liked in varying degrees. But you know what I also had?

Crushes on boys in books.

Crushing on fictional characters of any gender is totally normal and it also doesn’t meant you want to date a person just like that. It’s totally normal whether you’re in a relationship or not in one.
Fiction gives us a safe space to explore what we’d never want to experience in real life. Being in jail, being a pirate, being a murderer, being an epic hero, being an epic villain. Dating a bazillion types of people and getting to experience the highs and lows of love without actually having to commit yourself to anyone with an evil father, or anyone currently dying of magical drug addition. I mean, how much fun would Will be if you met him in a bar?

You: Well, hello there, tall dark and handsome.
Will: I am cursed. Cursed!
You: I could buy you a drink.
Will: EVERYONE WHO LOVES ME WILL DIE.
You: This seems like potentially a lot of drama.

Lizzie and Darcy by InarticulateBumble

When we see characters, we’re seeing them in extremis, pushed to the edge of who they are by circumstance. We’re seeing them at the most exciting point of their lives, when they are most tested and most interesting. But there’s a big gap between “I love this character!” and actually wanting to marry them. I have a lognstanding crush on Mr. Darcy but have to admit he was a product of his time and probably I wouldn’t enjoy actually being married to him.

Mr Darcy: What are you doing, darling?
Me: I am writing a book.
Mr. Darcy: There is no need for such things when you have Pemberley to look after!
Me: *smashes a lamp on his head*

Do fictional men (and women) raise your standards? Maybe, but it’s not terrible to have high standards for yourself. I think it’s useful to break down what you like about a character — Will because he likes books? Simon because he’s into anime and nerdy stuff you like? Jace because he’s funny? Jem because he’s a musician? You can find all that stuff in real guys alive on the planet today. My husband is actually a musician who likes books, is funny and also a nerd.

First and foremost though if you love boys in books, find a boy that loves books. Find a boy who can love the same books as you — as I said oddly in a post about Will and Tessa, but it seems relevant here, People who know and love the same books you do have the roadmap of your soul. I believe that.

(All this stuff also applies to “girls in books” it’s just the question was about boys!)

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Taking a Break


You may have noticed that the blog has been quiet for a few days, well, that's because our energetic, Mundie Moms founder, Katie B, is taking a vacation. I know! She never, ever seems to take a break. These are such well deserved moments with her family. You can follow her vacation adventures on Mundie Moms' instagram and she will still be tweeting over on Mundie Moms' twitter account as well.

Shandra, Emm and I will do our best to keep the blog posts and forum going, but I know it won't be the same without Katie's upbeat wording.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Fan Art Friday

Cassie posted a really fun SDCC-themed piece of fan art this week. What do you guys think? I'm pretty sure every single Mundie Mom would love to be at Comic Con, too:


Re-blogged from merryweatherblue and aegisdea

Let's face it, this time of year, we're all feeling a little like this:

Image found here.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

The 15 Most Anticipated YA Books Publishing In August 2014


It's hard to believe that August is almost upon us. I don't know where this summer has gone. The end of summer brings some AWESOME book releases! Check out this list of the 15 Most Anticipated YA Books Being Released in August, from Epic Reads.

From the list of 15, here are my top 6 books I can't wait to get my hands on:




 Here are the other 9 books featured on the list of 15 highly anticipated releases:



Here are a few other titles being released next month as well:


 



Find out more about each book here. What are some of your highly anticipated releases from this list?

Royally Lost by Angie Stanton, Book Review


By: Angie Stanton
Published by: Harper Teen
Released on: May 6th, 2014
Source: arc received from publisher to review
Rating: 3 Stars- It Was A Good Read
Add it to Goodreads

Dragged on a family trip to Europe’s ancient cities, Becca wants nothing more than to go home. Trapped with her emotionally distant father, over-eager stepmother, and a brother who only wants to hook up with European hotties, Becca is miserable. That is until she meets Nikolai, a guy as mysterious as he is handsome. And she unknowingly finds herself with a runaway prince.


Nikolai has everything a guy could ask for-he's crown prince, heir to the throne, and girls adore him. But the one thing he doesn't have...is freedom. Staging a coup, he flees his kingdom and goes undercover on his own European tour.


When Nikolai and Becca meet, it’s their differences that draw them together. Sparks fly as they share a whirlwind of adventures, all the while dodging his royal guard. But Becca's family vacation ends in a matter of days. Will Nikolai and Becca be forced to say goodbye forever, will his destiny catch up to him, or will they change history forever?


A fun fluffy romantic read with an exciting European setting. Royally Lost was just the kind of book I needed to read on a dreary rainy day. It was one of those around good reads, that I was able to sit and read without over thinking or analyzing anything, which was enjoyable to me. Sometimes it's nice to just sit and read a book like that. Plus, this book whisked me away on a trip to Europe. had a Prince, some romance, and an exciting adventure. What's not to like about that, right!?


Royally Lost follows the story of Becca and Prince Niokolai. One is on an European adventure with her family to try and reconnect, and the other wants freedom and independence to make his own choice, and not that of his parents. Being eighteen once (coughs), I got that both Becca & Prince Nikolai had that yearning to tackle the world and venture out on their own. I felt the same way when I was that age. I got their wanting to set out and make the most of the world. What I first understood about or sympathized with both characters, ended up being something I couldn't over look anymore. I'll explain. 

Becca is on a trip of a life time, or so it seems. She's on a European cruise with her older brother, father, whom is a successful business man, and step mother. A step mother whom seems so nice, well is actually is and she's a secondary character I really liked in this story. Okay I might have ended up liking her more than Becca. At first I got that Becca didn't want to spend all this time with father and step mother. Instead of being interested in the history and enjoying the tours of each city they were suppose to be on, Becca was more interested in finding a diet pepsi and french fries. Okay, fine. I get it, sorta of. Okay I tried to get it, but I over the course of the book I could no longer excuse the way Becca was acting. The things I liked about Becca, slowly were etched away with her acting immature, her whiney and her acting selfish. She became a character who lied way too often to her parents about what she was doing and where she was going. On top of that, Becca's acting out made her look like a spoiled brat, and not someone who was responsible enough to be trotting around Europe with someone she just met. 

Prince Nikolai was someone I too tried to understand. He wanted some freedom to be able to be a normal teenager, vs accepting his parent's tough ruling as King and Queen, just because tradition said. He wanted to be a normal person, and he wanted his parents to see that, and not feel so out of touch with their country in which they govern. I got his disappearing, and taking off for a bit to just think, and be a normal person. Hence his trek across Europe, and finding himself in the same city Becca was in. Like Becca, what I didn't like about Nikolai at first was his lying about who he was. YES, I totally get it. He's trying to be a normal teenager, so why tell a stranger you're a Prince and risk all the problems that could come from that. His lying leads to trouble for the two, and when she finds out about it, she's so in love with him she excuses it. Sure, I get it. It's teenage love, and I understand how she may excuse it. 

If I had just sat down and read Royally Lost without looking too much into it I would have loved it. I really wanted to love it, but, there were a few things that I couldn't over look, no matter how hard I wanted to. There is an air of excitement about this story, and that yearning to just be free of all responsibility, and wanting to find your own adventure in the world. As I mentioned above, this was a fun fluffy romance read, and I'm sure you're wondering why I said it was fun when I just said what I liked and didn't like about the characters. The story does have a sweet summer romance between Becca and Nikolai. I loved their little get- aways through the various European cities that Becca's family cruise takes them to. I did like the romance, lying aside. 

This was a sweet summer fling, and I liked how sweet these two were with each other. They both brought out some of the positive things in each other, and helped the other put down their guard a little bit more. I liked that Becca liked Nikolai for who he was and not for his title. The romance was sweet. I loved reading about their stolen moments together. But, I just couldn't over look the other things enough to totally enjoy this story as much as I really, really wanted to. And I'll just say it, I didn't like the instalove, though sometimes I think back at this age, and wonder if the characters, like some of us did at this age, confuse infatuation with being in love. Thankfully there's more than infatuation with this story. 

Thankfully both characters redeem themselves, though not enough for me to love the story the way I wanted to. They did own up to their mistakes. I like that both characters had parental figures in their lives that gave them consequences for their actions. I also liked that both Becca and Nikolai finally stood up to their parents and expressed their desires to do what they wanted to, vs what their parents wanted them to do. After all, their both out of high school, and are ready to tackle the world. I admire the fearlessness Becca had and that sense of adventure she wanted to follow before following through and attending college. I liked that she went from a character who I started out liking, and then over the course of the story I felt she became selfish, immature, and whiney, but ended up being someone who learned from her mistakes and learned more about herself from her trip. She ended up being someone I liked again. Same goes for Nikolai. I liked that he was someone who stood his ground with his parents in a way that helped them see that they did need to live more in the times vs living in past tradition. 

As I said, this was a sweet, fluffy romantic read that did have a few bumps along the way for me. It was a a story that started off good, had a few hiccups in the middle and ended on a sweet note for both Nikolai and Becca. If there was a sequel to their story, I would totally pick it up and read it. 

Shadowhunter Flower Project: The Infernal Devices

Hi Shadowhunters! Have you seen the latest Shadowhunter Flower cards from Cassandra Jean? She's created a set of TID cards and Cassie shared the first two yesterday. Check out WILL and Jem below.



Oh my WILL HERONDALE heart. *sigh* I'm looking forward to seeing more from this TMI flower set.

Cassandra Clare's Magisterium Gets A Starred Review!


Earlier this week Cassandra Clare shared the exciting news, and that her middle grade (MG) book, which she co-wrote with Holly Black, Magisterium: The Iron Trial, received a star reviewed from Publisher's Weekly! 




Here's what she said: 
Whee! Magisterium got a starred review in Publisher’s Weekly. In celebration I thought I’d put up Cassandra Jean’s art of Call’s friends, Aaron Stewart and Tamara Rajavi.
ReviewL Set in a magic-inflected version of the present-day U.S., this first title in the Magisterium series combines the talents of Black (Doll Bones) and Clare (the Mortal Instruments series) in a thrilling coming-of-age story that embraces fantasy tropes while keeping readers guessing. Twelve-year-old Callum Hunt has been raised to distrust magic. Mages killed his mother, and his father has warned him that the Magisterium, a school where young mages are trained, is a deathtrap. Callum’s attempts to fail the entrance exam go awry, and he is chosen to apprentice under Master Rufus, along with fellow students Aaron and Tamara. As Callum, Tamara, Aaron, and their classmates embark on their first of five years of schooling, Callum realizes how little he knows of his own heritage. The strange, subterranean Magisterium is vividly rendered, and a string of ominous revelations will leave readers eager for future installments. Fans of both authors will enjoy getting to know this well-rounded cast in the first steps of their adventure.

Congrats to Cassie and Holly!

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