Review: City of Ashes ~ Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Ashes

Author: Cassandra Clare

Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy

Copyright: March 2008

Pages: 496

Source: Publisher

Series: Mortal Instruments Series, #2

ISBN-13: 9781416914297

ISBN: 1416914293

Rating:

Synopsis:

Welcome back to the exotic world beyond the shadows...

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace.How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?


Review:

Whoa, baby! City of Ashes is a breathtaking sequel, to Clare's 2008 epic debut, City of Bones! City of Ashes is a powerfully written adventure that holds on to your senses & fails to let go. This is 3D reading come to life in the form of the written word. Whew!

The action in City of Ashes is much more foreboding & the momentum is unrelenting, Clare delved deeper into her writer's arsenal to produce this phenomenal follow up. Ms. Clare's got skills and this definitely proves her debut wasn't a "fluke.

City of Ashes proves w/o a shadow of a doubt, Clare didn't succumb to the dreaded "sophomore slump" so many writer's often end up tangled in. *Applause* Applause*

Clare's well developed characters are a smooth blend of ruthless, vibrant, manipulative and courageous beings. Blockbuster proportions enfolded inside 496 pages of tantalizing goodness is what City of Ashes transmits.

I have to say, that there is a revelation to the series that totally grosses me out but for some reason, I think there is much more to this divulgement than what was disclosed.

City of Ashes launches the story arc into the stratosphere with the second installment of Clare's Mortal Instrument saga.


Check out Clare's fabulous website here!














♥ & Respect Books ~ read often & help others to do the same =9.

2009-2010 © The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide

Review: Guilt by Association ~ Susan R. Sloan

Title: Guilt by Association
Author: Susan R. Sloan
Pages: 544pp
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Release Date: January 1996
ISBN-13: 9780446603065
ISBN: 0446603066
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: My Personal
Rating:

Synopsis:

From Barnes & Noble

In 1962, when Karen Dern was raped by a young man from a wealthy, powerful family, no one believed her. Now, 30 years later that same man is about to become America's next president...unless Karen can find some way to get her story heard.

Review:

Sloan's powerfully scribbled debut is a compelling story that left me paralyzed w/ fear, filled w/ rage & empowered!

Sloan knows how to write dynamic novels. It is still one of my wishes, for Sloan to once again grab her laptop to share her gift w/ the world. It has been far too long since Sloan released a new page-turner.

Guilt by Association is a POWERFUL read. In 1962, Karen, an innocent, intelligent, beautiful collegian is barbarously assaulted in New York's City's Central Park by a Harvard Law student she has just met @ a Christmas party.


Sloan skillfully juxtaposes Karen's disturbed evolvement during the years w/ her professional triumphs & a candid peak behind-the-scenes of California political aspirant Robert Willmont, Karen's vile rapist.

Sloan's characters are inimitable & well developed. The supporting players have their own riveting voice.

Guilt by Association is absorbing from the beginning & remains tight as it winds to an enthralling finale.
















♥ & Respect Books ~ read often & help others to do the same =9.

2009-2010 © The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide

Review: Between Husbands & Friends ~ Nancy Thayer

Title: Between Husbands & Friends
Author: Nancy Thayer
Pages: 320pp
Format: Mass Market Paperback
ISBN-13: 9780312974220
ISBN: 0312974221
Release Date: January 2001
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: My Personal Library
Rating:

Synopsis:

Lucy met Kate when they were both young wives and mothers. In the years since, the two women and their husbands and children have become inseparable, spending every August together in a house on Nantucket. Lucy and Kate, each other's most trusted confidantes, have shared their secrets, from the mundane to the shocking--but there's one explosive secret that Lucy has kept to herself.As August once again approaches, Lucy must confront the truth she has kept hidden all these years. Now, in the midst of an unexpected family crisis, she must make a decision that could shatter all of their lives.

Review:

This was my first Nancy Thayer read. I loved the setting. It was the setting, Nantucket, that piqued my interest because the plot seemed to be a bit too "been there, done that" for me. What can I say, I am a book snob (let's not even wonder if it spills over into my personal life... my blog is a reflection of me in many ways... ;p). LOL!

Lucy & Kate BFF... The drama free friend & the one bringing all the drama...

You know, the difference between day & night type friend? Yet it just works... similar yet different but it all connects. Yep, that's the relationship between Lucy & Kate.

It took me a bit longer to warm up to Lucy, but Kate was a slam dunk! Lucy & Kate were inseparable. They were more than friends -- more like sisters from the heart. They shared secrets, blended their families and every August spent their time on Nantucket.

Thayer did an incredible job of weaving together the tapestries of their lives. Thayer's noteworthy narrative vacillates between the couples' present & their linked past is impressive.

Between Husbands and Friends is a poignant work of fiction that not only touches but nests inside your heart.

LQQking for a gripping read for the beach -- Thayer penned the one to read while slathered in SPF as the waves roll in & out. Between Husbands and Friends is a tale loaded with deceit, secrets, loyalty and the true bond of friendship.

Check out Nancy here!

♥ & Respect Books ~ read often & help others to do the same =9.

2009-2010 © The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide