Clockwork Princess review

The Basics

Book Title: Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, #3)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Pages: 568

ISBN: 978-1-4169-7590-8

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance

Defining Quotes

"'Sometimes one must choose whether to be kind or honorable,' he said. 'Sometimes one cannot be both.'" - p. 68

"'We see our better selves in the eyes of those who love us.'" - p. 187

Summary

This is the final book in the trilogy following Tessa, Will, and Jem as they try to bring an end to the Magister's plans, while working on their complicated relationships. 

Thoughts

If it wasn't for the weird love triangle romance in this trilogy, I'd give this book 5 stars, easy. It was by far the best written book of the three and I was emotionally engaged through most of it as well. It brought a nice end to the Magister mystery as well as Tessa's own family history. 

There were a lot of relationship wrap-ups in this book and, honestly, I think that's what really helped me get through this book. The love triangle wasn't the main romance in this book, so I was enjoying the most of it, while the triangle only came up a couple of times. I found myself emotionally invested in Will and Jem's relationship the most. I cared the most about what happened between the two of them and I believe that's because it was the most authentic relationship in the trilogy. The fact that Tessa was in love with both Will and Jem equally never made sense to me, but it did make sense to me the amount of love and devotion Will and Jem had with each other. 

Would I recommend this series to others? Well, if you don't mind love triangles, then yes I would. If love triangles are as big of a pet peeve as they are for me, then I wouldn't recommend it. The overall story is interesting, but I have read better books that have a more satisfying love story than this one had for me. 

I have read City of Bones once some years ago and now reading this series, I'm not very convinced that I like the way Cassandra Clare writes romance. It puts me on edge and in a really uncomfortable place, the one place in books that I usually find the most satisfaction in when I finish the book. I've considered trying Lady Midnight because I've heard it's even better than this series, but I'm not necessarily motivated to get to it anytime soon. 

Pros vs. Cons

• Pros
• Best written story of the trilogy
• Wraps things up nicely
• Love triangle not as blaring as in the second book
• Cons
• Not entirely satisfied with the way things ended
• Climax seemed to end rather too quickly for my tastes

Overall Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Court of Thorns and Roses review

The Basics

Book Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1)

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Pages: 416

ISBN: 978-1-61963-444-2

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Defining Quotes

"'Because I wouldn't want to die alone,' I said, and my voice wobbled as I looked at Tamlin again, forcing myself to meet his stare. 'Because I'd want someone to hold my hand until the end, and awhile after that. That's something everyone deserves, human or faerie.'" - p. 153

Summary

We follow Feyre as she is taken from her home from one of the Fae, a magical superior species separated from humans, for killing one of the Fae's own. 

Thoughts

This is my second time reading this book because I wanted the entire story fresh in my mind when I got to the third book, A Court of Wings and Ruin. It was good to read this story again so I could slow down the pace a little more and let the story sink in. 

In the first half of the book, Sarah J. Maas takes her time in getting Feyre adjusted to living with the Fae and I could see how it could be interpreted as being slow. There is information that is purposely being hidden from Feyre (for good reason), which keeps you from learning too much at once. Personally, I think the pace was just right. I felt like I was given time to get to really know Feyre and the way she thinks, as well as the new world she was just starting to learn about (just like the reader). 

Now, I planned to read this book in the course of 4 sittings - dividing the book into quarters. It was easy to do up to the halfway point. Once I was at the halfway point, I just couldn't put the book down for more than a few hours (and that was only because I had work). The second half of this book is gripping and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. I feel like the end of this book is what really puts the cherry on top for this book. I don't want to give out any spoilers, but I feel like Feyre reacts to her situation in a normal, human way that most main characters going through exciting climaxes don't usually show. It takes a turn that no other writer (that I know of) goes in a fantasy novel and I just love it. 

Overall, I can see why this book may not be a favorite to some, but for me, it's the perfect build-up to the second book. I highly recommend this book/series to any reader, especially those looking for a strong female character that you can identify with. 

Pros vs. Cons

• Pros
• Amazing main characters
• Unique development in the end
• Hard to put down after the halfway point
• Cons
• Can be slow for the first half

Overall Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Clockwork Prince review

The Basics

Book Title: Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, #2)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Pages: 498

ISBN: 978-1-4169-7589-2

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance

Defining Quote

None this time around :/

Summary

We continue to follow Tessa, Will, and Jem as they try to discover more about the Magister's plans before Charlotte, the leader of the Institute, is kicked out. 

Thoughts

So, I do have some thoughts about this book, but it's probably not going to be as long as normal. The biggest reason that I continued on with this series was because I was interested in the mystery of the story. I wanted to know more about Tessa's past, as well as what the Magister was ultimately up to. In plot, I wasn't disappointed. I felt like there was consistent action throughout the book, unlike the first one, and was always anxious to find out what was the next step of catching the Magister. If the book continued somewhat on the same strain as the first one while keeping the same plot they had in this book, I would've rated this book 5 stars, easy. BUT. That's not what happened. 

At the end of the first book, I suspected a love triangle forming, and sure enough, it happened. Love triangles are my most hated trope in books, ever. There is enough conflict that can be formed just between two people. You don't need to get a third person involved to create conflict. Sometimes it can be done well, but for the most part, it just drives me insane. That's what happened in this book. If you haven't figured it out already, the love triangle is between Tessa, Will, and Jem. Now, the first book did a great job of setting up Jem as a good, close friend and Will as the love interest. If Cassandra Clare had just stuck with that, this book would be great, but NO. Jem HAS to be a love interest as well. -.- It's not convincing (for me) and Tessa is SO wishy-washy about who she loves more (when it's so painfully obvious to everyone - even in the book - that she loves Will more), it's just painful.

Now, I didn't drive down the rating too low on this one, because I realize that my peeve with love triangles is my own personal querk. If you don't mind love triangles, honestly, I think you'll love this book. I do have the third book on hold at the library because I do want to figure out the mystery, but I already looked up what happens with the whole Tessa-Will-Jem thing because it just annoyed me that it exists in the first place. This way I can just focus on the plot and stay engaged in that. 

Pros vs. Cons

• Pros
• Mystery still engaging
• Action is more consistent in this book
• Character development on Will is interesting
• Cons
• LOVE TRIANGLE
• Tessa being Bella Swan-like about who she loves more

Overall Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jane Eyre review

The Basics

Book Title: Jane Eyre

Author: Charlotte Brontë

Pages: 466

ISBN: my copy didn't have an ISBN or copyright date

Genre: Classics, Romance

Defining Quotes

"It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquillity: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it." - p. 108

"And was Mr. Rochester now ugly in my eyes? No, reader: gratitude, and many associations, all pleasurable and genial, made his face the object I best liked to see; his presence in a room was more cheering than the brightest fire." - p. 147

"Every good, true, vigorous feeling I have, gathers impulsively round him. I know I must conceal my sentiments: I must smother hope; I must remember that he cannot care much for me. For when I say that I am of his kind, I do not mean that I have his force to influence, and his speed to attract: I mean only that I have certain tastes and feelings in common with him. I must, then, repeat continually that we are for ever sundered:-and yet, while I breathe and think I must love him." - p. 177

"Prejudices, it is well known, are most difficult to eradicate from the heart whose soil has never been loosened or fertilized by education: they grow there, firm as weeds among stones." - p. 349

Summary

We follow the life of a simple girl named Jane Eyre, raised by her aunt who despises her, as she grows up into a young woman. Most of the story takes place with her journey of accepting the role of governess at Thornfield Hall. 

Thoughts

I will preface this by saying I knew the plot of the story before I even read it. My mom introduced me to Jane Eyre years ago with the BBC Masterpiece adaptation made in 2006. I instantly fell in love with the story and the movie, which ended with me owning my own copy of the movie and watching it at LEAST 100 times since. So, I knew I would love the book going in. I mainly wondered if the movie did a good job of adapting the book to visual form or if the book was even better than the movie. 

Surprisingly, there were not very many differences between the movie and the book. There were a few characters cut out and some minute changes made, but I would say the movie is true to the book 95% of the time. I usually have a harder time getting through classics because of the writing style is so different from what it is nowadays. With Charlotte Brontë, I didn't have that problem at all. (I would like to note here that this is her first work that I've read.) It was easy to read and follow, keeping me engaged throughout. 

There is a certain part in the story that I was somewhat hesitant to read because in the movie, I sometimes like to fast forward through it since it doesn't have much to do with Jane and Mr. Rochester interacting (I won't say any more for spoiler reasons). I was pleasantly surprised by the book in how I was still engaged during this section. For some reason, I feel like the movie didn't adapt one of the characters well, which is a critical part of the character. The book, however, details the character perfectly and does a great job of balancing what this character is going through compared to Jane's struggles. 

If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend reading the book. I would especially recommend it to those who are wanting to read more classics, but don't know where to start. If you haven't seen the 2006 movie version by BBC, but have read the book, I also highly recommend watching it. It does a great job of portraying the book and I feel it even makes a couple of changes from the book that make the story even better. 

Pros vs. Cons

• Pros
• Great love story - pulls at all your heartstrings
• Easy to read and stay engaged
• Characters are well drawn out and relatable
• Cons
• Some say the extra emphasis on God and religion is a little too much for them. I thought it was appropriate for the character based on her background.

Overall Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

$10,000,000 Marriage Proposal review

The Basics

Book Title: $10,000,000 Marriage Proposal

Author: James Patterson with Hilary Liftin

Pages: 115

ISBN: 978-0-31-631719-1

Genre: Romance, Short stories

Summary

A billboard is displayed in L.A. stating that a man is looking for a serious candidate to marry, in which the "winner" will also receive 10 million dollars. The story follows three women who reply to the ad. 

Thoughts

It has taken me a while to get this review out because I truly didn't care for it. I picked it up with the intrigue that it was about 100 pages long and romance, hoping that I could get my romance kick, which I occasionally have, fulfilled within a couple of hours. Ironically, I think that was one of the reasons I didn't really like this book. I felt like I had no time at all to get to know these characters at all and by the end, I didn't really care who the guy ended up with (even though I pretty much knew who it would be). The whole point of reading a romance book is to enjoy the relationship that develops between the two characters and there's none of it here. The only time the "winner" and the guy actually talk to each other is in the last chapter or two of the book! No joke!

Secondly, I didn't like the stereotypical, bland character stories for the three women in the first place. One is made out to be extremely smart with technology and shows a complete disinterest in getting attached. So...she's obviously not an option. The second is a TV producer who's show just flopped and can see the potential of making this same scenario into a TV show that could put her back on top. She's written in a way as if she's just in the running to scam the guy and make money off of him. There are a couple of times where it seems she genuinely wants to find a guy, but the author makes it BLATANTLY in your face that she's all about her job, as if it's a bad thing. 

Then, we've got the social worker who still lives with her mom and has huge problem with her self-esteem.  

-.- *deep breath*

When describing her job, she states that all the kids she works with are so happy to talk with her and feel like their voice is heard in the midst of the foster care system. Now, I worked with social workers and I've worked with at-risk youth and I can tell you now that most of those kids didn't have a good relationship with their social worker. There would be some days that they want to talk to them and some days that they don't. Every social worker I worked with was extremely pleasant, but overly exhausted. These people are overworked, underpaid, and under appreciated. There's no way that this character would get satisfaction from the kids alone because sometimes their reactions to life are the most heart-breaking of all. I'm not saying that social workers don't get some reward from their kids. Sometimes they are glad to see them and sometimes the social worker is able to pull through for their kiddo and make things work. Those moments DO happen, but not often enough. I'm glad her job title doesn't take too much of a spotlight in the story because it's one of the character developments that pissed me off the most. It also irks me that she's still living with her mom, as if someone with her personality couldn't live on her own. The story does state that she's having financial and previous roommate problems, but still. They make her out to be incredibly needy instead of having her be a strong woman. Because believe me, if you're a social worker, you have to have some backbone in you. 

Okay, off my soapbox there. Like I mentioned earlier, not much of the story actually has interaction between the millionaire and the ladies in the story. There's multiple stages they have to get through and there's a few times where the ladies are talking to a man, so we "wonder" if that's the millionaire or not. I closed the book not feeling satisfied with it at all. The relationship wasn't there, the romance wasn't there, and I couldn't relate to any of the characters at all. I do have to say that one positive aspect of it was that I did keep turning the page to find out how things ended. I was curious about how they would reveal the millionaire and if there would be side romances with the other two ladies who didn't get the guy. So, I didn't put the book down and I did keep turning the page, but it had no payout at the end. 

Pros vs. Cons

• Pros
• Kept turning the page to find out what happened
• Cons
• Poor character development 
• No romance in the story
• Poor representation of women's roles/identities
• Didn't get that "happily ever after" feel by the end

Overall Rating

⭐⭐

What are your thoughts? Should I give a different "Bookshot" a try? Is there one you would recommend that might change my mind about such a short book?