{Review} The Course of True Love (and First Dates): A Magnus Bane Story

Posted by Donna
Release Date: February 1st, 2018
Finished Date: April 10th, 2018

Publishers: Walker Books
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Romance
Source: For Review
Format: Hardback 

Pages: 96
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo 

 

Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood might fall in love—but first they have a first date. 

When Magnus Bane, warlock, meets Alec Lightwood, Shadowhunter, sparks fly. And what happens on their first date lights a flame...

A Magnus Bane story set in New York. Both new readers and those already familiar with the world of the Shadowhunters will enjoy this collectable hardback gift edition

The Review: Put your hands up if you love Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood? I do! I love these guys from the books and I love them even more from the TV series and, I love that Walker books have started publishing these collectable gift novellas because not only are they so lovely to look out but, they really are the perfect gift for any fan. 

I really enjoyed getting inside Magnus’s head as this novella is told from his perspective. I haven’t read The Bane Chronicles so this novella was something completely new for me and gave me a different outlook at how Magnus and Alec’s relationship develops –which of course you don’t see in the Shadowhunter books. 

It’s a good look at their first date and how wrong it can go but because everything isn’t perfect, that makes it all the more special and definitely strengthens their bond. 

My only complaint is there was too much telling and not showing which as a fan of this world, I want to see it all for myself. 

Thank you to Walker Books for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

A Review for Shadowhunter's Guide: City of Bones & City of Bones: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion by Mimi O'Connor

Posted by Donna
Release Date: July 9th, 2013
Finished Date: August 17th, 2013

Publishers: Simon & Schuster UK
Source: For Review

Format: Paperback
Pages: 128

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Don’t miss The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, soon to be a major motion picture in theaters August 2013.

Delve deep into the world of the Shadowhunters with this ultimate guide that’s based on The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie. 

This comprehensive book features full-color photographic portraits and profiles of the film characters, quotes from the script, detailed information on downworlders, Shadowhunters, the Clave, and more. Fans of the movie won’t want to miss this must-have guide to the realm of the blockbuster City of Bones movie!

The Review: As a huge fan of The Mortal Instruments, I have to admit I was very curious about The Shadowhunter's Guide. I first read City of Bones back in 2011, so I guess you could say by now I'm a little rusty on the introduction of Clary's story, but reading this guide takes me back.

I loved how the guide was broken down into chapters, telling you bits of information without spoiling too much of the story for you. Of course, the first thing I noticed was how the story was slightly changed for the movie, but that's to be expected. It's left me more than excited to watch it on the big screen now. As I said before, the guides broken down into chapters. We see chapters called What to Know, Who to Know, Places to Know, Runes, Weapons and so many more. It was a great insight to the story, especially for me because I was so intrigued to see if I had pictured things like the rune's in my head correct. Not only that, but the introduction is followed up with pictures from the movie and honestly, it's really great. It's great to see this story come to life and so far (baring in mind, I haven't watched the movie yet) I'm really impressed. I loved seeing all the characters come to life - especially Lily as Clary and Godfrey Gao as Magnus. I'm still not 100% convinced with Jamie Campbell Bower as Jace but, I'm hoping I change that opinion once I've watched the movie.

Even though I really enjoyed reading The Shadowhunter's Guide I don't believe it's a must read and honestly, even though I'm a huge fan of this series, I don't think I would ever buy the guide if I hadn't received it for review. Mainly because it didn't tell me anything new and secondly, I think the guide will only be suitable for fans that want to add it to their Mortal Instrument collection. I'd highly recommend you read it if you could borrow it from a library or from a friend, but I'm not sure buying the guide would be beneficial to someone new to the series, hey, but then that's just my thoughts.

Posted by Donna

Release Date: July 9th 2013 

Finished Date: August 19th, 2013

Publishers: Simon & Schuster UK

Source: For Review

Format: Paperback

Pages: 129

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US /The Book Depo

Don’t miss The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, soon to be a major motion picture in theaters August 2013.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie with this official companion book. 

This fan favorite features full-color photos from the set, designers’ sketches, interviews with the cast and crew, and more! From the screenwriting process to the casting decisions to the director’s vision, this definitive book is a must-have for fans of the blockbuster film!

The Review: City of Bones: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion is definitely a must read for any fan of this series. This is only my second ever illustrated movie companion - the first being Twilight. I'm one of them people who will watch the commentaries on a DVD and this is very similar to that because of how much insight to everything that happens behind the scenes. 

We see how the film comes together, we get quotes from the cast and even their thoughts on the movie and books. We all see notes from the directors and there's just so much more goodness that comes from this book. It's full of fun and interesting facts, and the pictures are fab too. It will definitely get any fan excited to see the movie after reading this. 

What I loved about this book is how much is looks like the writers, director and actors have worked so hard to deliver us fans a movie that will not let us book fans down.There's so much pressure on these people to create the best movie and I'm really hoping it reflects on screen because, otherwise fans, and probably myself included will be disappointed. And I seriously don't want to be disappointed! 

In all, highly recommended to any fans who wants a glimpse behind the scenes into one of the most anticipated movies of the year. 

A review for City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Posted by Jessica

Published Date: 5^th April, 2011
Finished Date: 19th April, 2011
The Blurb: City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever. 

The Review: After some slugging on my part I managed to finish the book last night. Now it took me a while, not because it wasn’t good. But mostly because it’s been hot here in England and I haven’t wanted to read a lot.  Putting that aside I managed to get through it.

Anyway, I liked this book. It wasn’t as good as the previous three in the series so far, but I still enjoyed it. City of Fallen Angels takes place 2 months after the aftermath of City of Glass. Jace and Clary are finally together, but Jace is acting weird and seems to be distancing himself from Clary, which becomes clear in the end of the book. This book mostly revolves around Simon, and how he’s dealing with being a vampire-not just any vampire a ‘Daylighter’-a vampire who can walk around in daylight thanks to the angel blood that he has within him. Not only that, he’s trying to figure out how to juggle two girlfriends. So typical 16 year old then? Anyway, things take a turn for the worst and Simon starts to get hunted buy creepy hooded figures, which all becomes clear towards the end of the book.

I felt City of Fallen Angels was slow to build up, which I didn’t mind so much but after having SO MUCH happen in the previous three books I was hoping for a little more…..umph to it? Don’t get me wrong, Cassie did an amazing job, and it was nice to read it, and be reunited with the characters, which are so familiar to me now that I felt like I was with friends.  Nicely done Cassie.

Moving on to the villain. Well to be honest I preferred Valentine but I can work with Lilith she’s pretty much the embodiment of evil anyway. I just think she lacked something (not sure what) all I know is Valentine was better. That’s all I have to say.

I love the entrance of Kyle to the series, this was a great turn and I’m looking forward to see how this pans out with the Simon, Maia, Isabelle fiasco. Interesting.

I was soooo pleased to see Alec and Magnus back again (Malec). Alec in the beginning really pissed me off after finding out about Magnus and Camille back in the 1800’s (See Clockwork Angel for full details on that). BUT he got over himself and became the Alec we all know and love. Yay! Either way, Cassie IF you read this….I’d like to request more Malec please. Thanks!

Right moving on to the ‘supposed’ cliffy at the end?

***Little spoiler coming up. Sorry***

Not so much a cliffy as an ‘I kinda suspected that, so I’m not overly shocked or surprised’ which is true. I wasn’t. After Sebastian was revealed by Lilith, I wasn’t shocked at the end that TA DA Sebastian lives! Of course he does! Anyway it was a nice turn of events; I suspected from the end of City of Glass that Sebastian would make his re-grand entrance. We sort of see him in a glass coffin, kinda dead, but not dead. He was like Snow White with the eternal sleep thing. Except to wake Sebastian the kiss of true love wasn’t going to work. Nope he needs angel blood mixed with Shadowhunter blood. Enter Jace Wayland-Herondale-Lightwood. So yeah angel blood + Sebastian = dum dum dummmmmm!

Nice turn of events on that bit and I really think that January 2012 is wayyy tooo long to wait for City of Lost Souls!

Anyway, I think that’s about it for this review. Hope it didn’t suck too much. *shrug*

_______________________________

Posted by Donna

Finished Date: April 9th, 2011

The Blurb: City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever. 

The Review: I read this book over two weeks ago and I'm still struggling to find the words to write. So..all I'm going to say is.........AMAZING! LOVED everything even the cliffhanger at the end! READ IT! and can't wait for the next one. 

A review for Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Posted by Jessica                                   

Published Date: August 31st, 2010
Finished Date: March 15th, 2011
The Blurb: Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

The Review: I should have written the review last night when it was fresh in my mind, but sleep called to me. So I'll try my best at 7.45am.

I loved it. Although slightly slow paced in some parts, I was still totally into the story and I really enjoyed it.

Seventeen year old Tessa Gray travels to London in search of her brother Nathaniel. When she arrives in London she is escorted (more like trapped) by two women nicknamed the Dark-sisters, who unbeknown to Tessa the Dark sisters are Warlocks and are set on using Tessa's 'power' to their advantage to please a man named 'The Magister'. Loads of stuff happens and I won't go into detail too much, but Tessa is found by Will Herondale a Shadowhunter, he takes her back to the Institute and here Tessa begins to uncover all the sinister goings on involving her brother Nate.

Clockwork Angel had the right amount of action, the right amount of shock and just to top it off, a slight love triangle which I'm anxious to see how it will pan out. This is the first time reading a book set in the Victorian era and on top being set in my current home of London. Clare captivated the right amount of British 'creep-tacular' that London had to offer in those days with all the darkness, the rain, the smog, and the fog. It set off a nice effect to the Shadow World.

I was extremely shocked at how things worked out with Nate in the end, to say that I gasped would be an understatement. As for the whole situation with The Majister-well, I gasped at that too!

Having already read The Mortal Instruments I knew pretty much everything about the Shadow World, but for anyone who hasn't read TMI, won't be confused with all the words and references Cassie uses to describe the world itself, so new readers won't find themselves confused when reading.

Finally, finding out how Church the cat was named and who he was named by, and how he came about was good. It won't leave me wondering about him now, except maybe now when I read City of Fallen Angels I won't help but think, that that cat is frickin' old and he must have like a bajillion lives compared to any 'normal' cat.

Now, to the question I'm sure all other readers are anxious to know about. Am I Team Will or am I Team Jem? Well to answer that question? I don't bloody know! These are two boys that are so different in so many ways. I'll admit there were times throughout the book that I leaned more towards Will, but then Will would be insanely cruel about something, or say something sexist or stupid which would then make me love Jem, in the end I have no idea who I prefer right now. I'm going to read the next two before I can make a decision. So right now I'll just say I'm Switzerland regarding Will and Jem, in which I will nickname them as Jillem!

So in conclusion, I loved Clockwork Angel I would reccommend it to anyone who enjoyed TMI. And no, you don't have to read this one before reading TMI as Clockwork Angel doesn't spoil anything regarding TMI.

Read it! :)

That's all folks

OH I meant to add-There's something at the end of the book that Will says to Tessa, I'm not judging. But what he said was cruel and a little sexist. However it was Will. Its how he is. There's something inside him or something in his past that's made him the way he is, which I'm looking forward to finding out what that is.