Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Summary
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder—much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing—not even a smear of blood—to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare’s ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

Review
There are times when we just want to hang with our friends and have a good time to make the stress of the past days, weeks, or even months get away from us. We want to be able to vent, to cry, to scream about everything that is going wrong, or even rejoice in everything that is going right. Clary wants to do that with her best friend Simon, going to a club to go dancing and let loose and have a good time. 

But alas, it is not written in the stars that way for Clary to do.

Clary’s world is rocked by viewing the murder of someone she had seen acting suspiciously all night, by a group of people who just look suspicious as well. She is at a loss of knowing what she is able to do, of how to do the right thing, but before she can decide what her next move is, she is whisked away and having decisions made for her.

She is taken from place to place by people she barely knows, and has to deal with after having arrived home to find her mother missing. Desperate for answers, she agrees to go along, as she herself would like to know what is going on that is changing her life forever. But changes that are found to be life-changing are just beginning to pile up at her feet.

This book is a thrill ride, taking you from place and place and never knowing where you are going to end up. It takes you back to that romance you knew was a bad idea from the start, but you just couldn’t help yourself diving head first into it. To the moment when you suddenly learn why you shouldn’t be in this relationship in the first place, though I doubt that twist was as big as this one was. Cassandra Clare provides you with characters that remind you of yourself: innocent, curious, and ready to take on the world. You have a best friend that is willing to do anything for you, though they may have different reasons than you realize. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I cannot wait until I tackle the next book in the series.

Reviewed by Mercedes Olivas

Book Information
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication date: 2/19/2008
Pages: 512

Review: Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Summary
“Darrow is a miner and a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he digs all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of the planet livable for future generations. Darrow has never seen the sky.

Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better future for his children.

But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrow and Reds like him are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.

Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow joins a resistance group in order to infiltrate the ruling class and destroy society from within. He will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies... even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.”

Review
Courage is a trait that I believe has always been valued since the beginning of time. We are always ready to support “the little guy”, the person who is willing to make a stand to “the big guy”, and try to change things for the good for everyone. They are willing to sacrifice everything to make the world a better place, especially for the people they love and their family.

Darrow is no different. He is a guy who is trying to make his mark on the world, and believes that people cannot be cruel to him since he is nice to everyone. There are people of course he disagrees with, but he does not wish ill things unto them. He is there with the rest of the Reds, digging to find the elements needed to make the surface of their planet, which is actually Mars, livable and make living better for the people all around the world. Even though he has never seen it, and probably never will, it is enough to give him ambition to move forward.

But as you learn early on from reading, he is stunned to learn that the government and the people he put his faith in have lied to him and have already reached the surface. They’re conspiring to keep the discrimination of the lower class alive and to keep them in their place and not able to move forward and make a difference like Darrow has been working for. Add that to the fact that his heart gets completely shattered, Darrow becomes a man on a mission.

You will be shocked to learn that Darrow is only sixteen years old during the time the novel takes place, but he becomes more of a man than you can believe. His love for his wife Eo and his ambition makes you want to cheer and fight alongside with him, jump for joy when he is successful, and jump into the pages and give him a hug when he is down.

Pierce Brown creates a very powerful character in Darrow, and even though this book is classified as Young Adult Dystopian, it will pave the way for the future books in the genre, and shatter the reputations of the ones that came before him. Brown creates a book that is unique in its own way, and one that will never be repeated no matter how much time may pass.

Reviewed by Mercedes Olivas

Book Information
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Publication date: 1/28/2014
Pages: 400

Review: Deadly Heat by Richard Castle

Summary
Picking up where Frozen Heat left off, top NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat pursues the elusive former CIA station chief who ordered the execution of her mother over a decade ago.

For the hunt, Nikki teams once again with her romantic partner, Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist Jameson Rook, and their quest for the old spy and the motive behind the past murder unearths an alarming terror plot-which is anything but ancient history. It is lethal. It is now. And it has already entered its countdown phase.

Complicating Heat's mission to bring the rogue spy to justice and thwart the looming terror event, a serial killer begins menacing the Twentieth Precinct and her homicide squad is under pressure to stop him, and soon. The frightening murderer, known for his chilling stealth, not only has singled out Nikki as the exclusive recipient of his taunting messages, he then boldly names his next victim: Detective Heat.

Review
We are all connected to the people we care about, and some ties are stronger than others. For example, a tie to a romantic partner is thicker than to a friend, but a tie to a romantic partner is different than the tie to a parent. When that person is lost to us forever, especially in a way that we don’t know why, we feel like the string is still attached to us somehow, and is looking for a place to reconnect. This is something Nikki Heat has had to feel for the past ten years.

Ten years ago, while on the phone with her mother at the supermarket, Nikki overheard an intruder come into the house and hear her mother’s screams as she was murdered before Nikki arrived back at the house. She changed her major from theatre to criminal justice, and became an NYPD Detective, determined to find the answers as to why her mother had been murdered when she was just a separated, middle-aged piano teacher with one daughter

This novel is a sequel to the fourth book in the series, Frozen Heat, where Nikki finally finds evidence that can reopen the investigation into her mother’s murder, and takes her on an international inquiry to find just what her mother did that caused her to be stabbed in cold blood while Nikki helplessly ran back to her house to find her mother no longer with her. 

The identity of the murderer is not revealed until the beginning of this book, where we find that Nikki has been trying to track him down with the help of her partner, both romantic and semi-professional, journalist Jameson Rook, in order to finally find the justice she has been searching for to cut the ties of longing to be with her mother again. However, just as Nikki is getting hot on the trail, a serial killer begins tormenting the city she loves, and announces his next victim: Nikki Heat herself.

The books are a correlation to the comedy-crime drama, Castle, on ABC.  In the television show, Richard Castle is a crime novelist who is shadowing Detective Beckett, who is his inspiration for the character of Nikki Heat. Jameson Rook is based on Castle himself, and the supporting characters of the novel are based on the supporting characters of the television show. You are able to catch many similarities between the dialogue and quirks between the characters of the novel if you also watch the show.

That being said, I would recommend this novel if you are a fan of the show. While the characterization, dialogue, and plot are not necessarily bad, they are not necessarily spectacular either. There are a couple of twists here and there that may catch you off guard, but unless you are able to get a connection to characters and jokes you are already familiar with after watching the show, there really is nothing new to gain from reading this novel. 

Reviewed by Mercedes Olivas

Book Information
Publisher: Hyperion
Publication date: 9/17/2013
Pages: 304

Review: Everybody's Got A Story by Heather Wardell

Summary
Both personally and professionally, Alexa knows all too well the power of words. Two years after her boyfriend Christophe's vicious attack, she's still trying to see herself as more than simply 'his victim', still trying to figure out her own story.After his trial, she moves from New York City to Toronto in an attempt to start over, but his words cling to her and even in a new country she can't see how to move into relationships with the new people in her life while hiding the secret of Christophe's worst offense.

She can't hide that secret from her coworker Jake, though, because the news buff has recognized her from the coverage of the assault and trial and knows every word she can't bring herself to say about her ordeal.

With Jake's help, can Alexa reclaim her story and her life?

Review
When you go through something traumatic, depending on the type of person you are, it may take a while to "get over" your pain. Not everyone can just heal instantaneously or just roll it off as if it never happened. For many, especially women, the burden of being victimized grasps uphold of any progress you try to make going forward. The attempts of living life without fear, establishing new relationships, reclaiming your self worth and esteem can leave you guarded without hope. Sometimes all we need is the chance to start over. Everybody's Got A Story is exactly that. It is a a young woman's journey finding the courage to start over and try to mend the broken pieces that left her physically and emotionally scared.

The story begins with a young woman, Alexa, who was in a relationship with a guy named Christophe. The unthinkable happened one day when he brutally attacked her changing her life forever. Two years later, awaiting his trial, Alexa no longer being able to take the burdens placed upon her life, uproots herself for a new start. Transferring to another division of her job, she knew that her boss would be the only person that knew about her story. Her sense of security was broken when her news buff co worker recognized her from the news coverage along with a shocking admission that made her face and deal with what she was trying to run away from. It is from that moment on, we see her journey begin.

I really enjoyed this book. It had an easy going pace that kept your interest throughout. The author has a real gift in storytelling from the human experience. I liked how she took a tragedy such as the one experienced by Alexa and surrounded it with a story that many women who have gone through similar can not only relate but gain strength from knowing that time heals all wounds. Many times you are left without closure and as you read throughout the story, it can eat away at you, haunt you and cripple your life. The hardest and most challenging is to find a way to move on and relive when you feel so broken. 

As we are introduced to other characters, each represents something to Alexa that enhanced her journey within the story. With her individual relationships with them, you get drawn into her world and inspired through her courage to push through all that was emotionally holding her back. You feel like you are going through her experience with her. Her journey to regain trust, friendships, relationships and herself is one that makes the reader root for her all the way. 

There is so much more to this story that you will definitely enjoy but I'm not going to be the one to spoil it for you. This is definitely the gal who you will not only will be rooting for her happiness but will be inspired by her courageous drive to regain her life and not be a victim anymore. 

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Review: Seven From Haven by Daniel Grotta

Summary
Seven gentle ghost stories with O'Henry-like sensibility, charm and humor. Set in the mountain village of Haven, Pennsylvania, where strange and wondrous things happen, "Seven from Haven" features a series of quirky, fantastical short stories which prove what they say about this town. "Haven takes care of its own."

Review
If you enjoy reading short stories, especially ones with ghosts in them, than you will love this book. It was a refreshing contrast to the ones that are spooky and haunted. This collection of seven engaging stories, centered around the town Haven, leaves you feeling entertained and wanting more. It was an easy read with stories that will be remembered once you finish. Even though each story is centered around ghosts, this is one of those books that can be read and enjoyed at any time. I think if you get this book, you will definitely enjoy it. 

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Book Information
Publisher: Pixel Hall Press
Publication date: 10/31/2012
Pages: 176

Review: Secrets of a Runaway Bride by Valerie Bowman

Summary
Miss Annie Andrews is finally free to marry the man she loves. With her overprotective sister out of the country on her honeymoon, nothing can prevent her flight to Gretna Green—nothing, that is, but an abduction by the wrong gentleman. 

When Jordan Holloway, the Earl of Ashbourne, promised to look after his best friend’s sister-in-law, he didn't realize she would prove so difficult. But when he spirits her away to his country house to prevent her elopement, he discovers that the tempting beauty knows how to put up a fight. To make matters’ worse, he’s stuck playing the role of honorable protector . . . when what he really wants is to run away with her himself.

Review
Some would argue that love is for fools, however, when one is in love; one can’t help but act foolishly. Love is an emotion ruled by the heart and not by the mind, thus it is not susceptible to reason and rationale. So in order to succeed at love, one must give up a sound peace of mind; kiss any sense of order goodbye, and breaking all rules in between. In Secrets of A Runaway Bride, we have a love story where decorum and decency stand in the way of true love and happiness. Yet sometimes you must throw caution to the wind and follow your heart. And Secrets of a Runaway Bride is about not caring what others think, ignoring the doubts in your mind and making a fool out of yourself for the one you love. 

Set in 1816, our tale of tomfoolery begins with our leading lady, Miss Annie Andrews, scaling the wall of her one true love’s house, in hopes to get him to return her affections. Yet she is interrupted by her “babysitter,” the Earl of Ashbourne, Jordan Holloway.  And to make matters worse, she is caught in Holloway’s arms by her one true love who dismisses the entire matter. 

Displeased with the response of her soul mate, Arthur Eggleston, Annie seeks to draw his attention by plotting a series of events where they end up alone and finally get Arthur to propose to her before her sister returns from her honeymoon;  only one problem, Lord Ashbourne. Not only has he halted all her plans to be alone with Arthur; showing up at the park on their outing, eavesdropping on their private conversations, and even going so far as dragging her from Arthur’s presence in front of everyone. But Jordan is making her feel things for him that she doesn’t feel for Arthur. 

Tired of waiting for Arthur to offer for her, she convinces Arthur to run away, again so they can elope. But Lord Ashbourne catches up to them and tells Arthur to be on his way and whisks Annie away to his manor in the country. Now away from her one true love, trapped with the bane of her existence that she is slow falling for, how is Annie supposed to cope with it all? Will she still try to find a way to get back to Arthur and continue to make a fool for a man whom has yet to offer for her? Or will she give in to temptation with Jordan and find another man to make a fool of herself over? 

Secrets of A Runaway Bride is truly a beautiful romance with wonderful suspense and definitely lots of fun drama. It also has some juicy love scenes. I could see why women in the 1800s were always fanning themselves. Yet this novel is much more than that. Secrets of A Runaway Bride is about forgetting the rules and order of things and just plan not giving a damn how you look for the one you love. This book is about understanding that you’ll just have to embrace your foolish side when it comes to being in love because you will make a fool out of yourself. Also, I would say Secrets of A Runaway Bride is about knowing when love is the reason for your behavior and maybe insanity is the reason you've lost it. But most importantly, this book about knowing that not only will you make a fool for the one you love, but that that they will make a fool out of themselves for you and you can both be fools in love together.

Reviewed by Camia Rhodes

Book Information
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication date: 3/26/2013
Pages: 375