Book Reviews: Shadowhunters and Downworlders

Title: Shadowhunters and Downworlders: A Mortal Instruments Reader

Companion to: the Mortal Instruments

Publisher: Smartpop

Lucia's rating: 3.5/5

An arc of this story was provided by NetGalley in exchange of a honest review. 

If you’ve been reading the Mortal Instruments for any length of time, you know that only two things are certain: Dead doesn’t necessarily mean dead, and you never know whose blood is going to wind up running through your veins.

3.5 stars. 

I'm not quite sure how to describe this book as. I mean, it was great and everything. But I felt the short stories lack a bit of interest for me as a reader. Let's be honest here. 

I don't know whether I liked it or loved it even my favorite book characters (mind you they are fictitious) were in the book and I found it just.. lacking. 

However, this might give the reader extras about the characters living their lives without fighting or hunting demons and it might be great. I'm just a bit confused and glad that I didn't spend my money on this even though my love for Clary Fray will never die. 

I like my choices and decision. It was okay for me. 

Book Reviews: Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Title: Falling Kingdoms (#1 of the Falling Kingdoms Series) 

Author: Morgan Rhodes (pen name)/Michelle Rowan

Publisher: Razorbill

Lucia's rating: 5/5 (can I give more?) 

5 stars.

Falling Kingdoms. Oh, how this broke my heart. This is truly one of the best books I have ever read in 2013. Not to mention, it reminds me of Game of Thrones a bit with the incest and uprising wars between the three kingdoms vying over power. But this is the Game of Thrones for teenagers.

Let's talk about the kingdom that the story started with.

Paelsia. The most poverty-filled kingdom, stuck in the middle between Limeros and Auranos. It's a kingdom with dying civilians relying on a man who proclaims that he is a sorcerer, Chief Basilius and the business of selling booze to its neighbors.

The princess of Auranos is visiting there with her 'betrothed,' Lord Aron who nobody likes because he has an attitude of a brat to get some wine for his friends. Then, someone gets killed during the process of Aron's time to go shopping for wine. Then one of our male protagonists who resides in Paelsia, Jonas decides to go on a quest. To do something about it, about Cleo and Aron's involvement in someone's murder.
Jonas and Cleo's relationship is one that makes me giggle, strangely. Because Cleo's not what Jonas expected her to be. Named after the goddess of air and darkness after all.

Back in Limeros (the north of Mytia), there's two royals. Lucia and Magnus. Oh, how I love Ms. Rhodes for picking such awesome names. So yes, they are brother and sister. And our darling, Magnus harbors romantic feelings to his sister, Lucia. Like he is obsessed with her.

If I was Lucia (and ironically my name is Lucia), I would probably swoon all over him already. The harsh reality made me worry though because you have a brother who you have been calling as your protector, your savior, your best friend then suddenly he tells you that he has romantic feelings for you? What kind of brother is that? Then she realizes she has this destiny and magical power. A bit like Daenerys Targaryen with the dragons thing. Lucia's father (and no, not my father), King Gauis (king of Limeros) has this evil scheme for her. There are times that I wanted to throttle Lucia's mind and ask if she's alright or just insane to even to put herself into danger. It's just like a 'no-no' for me. Even though I support Magnus, I think that he exposed too much vulnerability towards Lucia then she just took advantage of that. Don't even start on Magnus's frustration on the number of guys who simply want to court Lucia. I mean, why?

I can't address much about incest without making a full, 5,000+ words essay along so I'll skip that. ;)

Overall, this is one of my favorites by far. Ms. Rhodes proved herself to be a great writer by showing us how versatile she can be as a writer. I wish this story gets more popularized and I can't wait for the sequel!

Book Reviews: Legend by Marie Lu

Title: Legend (#1 of the Legend Series) 

Author: Marie Lu 

Publisher:  Putnam Juvenile

Lucia's rating: 3.5/5 

I'm fond of dystopian stories, especially one with the government ruling the citizens and moderating every movement. A friend of mine has recommended me this book and I would like to give a moment of happiness to her for introducing me this book. 

*dances around* 

It's a great book with two characters, living in two different worlds in the US. 

Our story starts off with June Iparis, a troublemaking prodigy with a 1,500 (100%) on her trial. She's reckless, impulsive, and cocky when it comes to schooling. She lives in the better side of the Republic, the more richer and glamorous place. That is until she learns that her brother, Metias Iparis, the captain of the Republic's military unit was stabbed and killed by Day. This leads her to a vengeful hunt to track Day down and make him pay for what he had done to her brother. 

Day Wing lives in the more poverty-ridden side of the Republic with a failed trial score, leaving him no choice but to stay . He is more known as the most wanted criminal and the accused person who murdered June's older brother, Metias. 

The story has its ups and downs but this is fast-paced and thrilling. There are so many twists and turns that it made me wonder how Ms. Lu had come up with these ideas. 

But the thing that gave away the other 2 stars was that the romantic subplot was pretty short. Quite short for 300 pages. It reminded me a lot of Romeo and Juliet with the choices the characters were making. The deaths were quite astonishing but I found the romance in this book little.

Overall, this is a mix of deception, betrayal, all you can find and seek in a YA-dystopian book. 

About Marie Lu 

Marie write young adult novels, and have a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, she was born in 1984. She like food, fighter jets, afternoon tea, happy people, electronics, the interwebz, cupcakes, pianos, bright colors, rain, Christmas lights, sketches, animation, dogs, farmers' markets, video games, and of course, books. Marie suck at working out. Marie also get lost very easily, but am a halfway decent driver. At least, she like to think so. :)

Marie left Beijing for the States in 1989 and went off to college at the University of Southern California. California weather sweet-talked me into sticking around, so she's currently in Pasadena with her boyfriend, two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and a chihuahua mix. In her past life, Marie was an art director in the video game industry, but now she write full-time.

Stalk Marie! 

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xx,

Lucia

Introductions

"A room without books is like a body without a soul.” 

― Marcus Tullius Cicero

Hi,

I'm Lucia. 

I guess Tumblr is a bit too messy for book reviews and blog about my life. So I went with this. 

Hahah. I went with Blogspot to help me write about my drastic life. 

Here goes nothing. 

xx, 

Lucia

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