Christmas Countdown Review #17 - The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare

Hello all! Happy new year! I know I never finished my Christmas Countdown reviews in time for Christmas but I'm going to finish them now, as well as catching up on my 12 days of Christmas reviews (By my reckoning it's about the 7th day of Christmas so I have some definite catching up to do)

Christmas countdown review number 17, the Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare!

I did actually finish this in time for the 17th of December but I got really busy and never got around to writing the review.

The Bane Chronicles is a series of stories about everyone's favourite High Warlock of Brooklyn, the one, the only, the fabulous, Magnus Bane. It covers his journey through time from his birth as an immortal warlock to the earth (and heart) shattering events of page 511 of City of Lost Souls (this page never happened I don't know what you're on about, nope, never happened...not at all...never, not once...) Journey through time with Magnus, find out why he was banned from Peru, meet Edmund and James Herondale, have tea and cake with Marie Antoinette, meet Ragnor Fell and Catarina Loss in Peru for a spot of piracy (ish). See the aftermath of page 511, see the Accords almost fall to pieces (Shadowhunters are very stupid let's leave it at that), all this and more await you in the pages of the Bane Chronicles,

This book was amazing. I mean, I like anything by Cassandra Clare so I might be a tad biased (not at all, nope, not one bit) but it is amazingly well written and each story is captivating and exciting. If you like a spot of adventure and a hint of glitter the Bane Chronicles is definitely for you. It might make more sense to read the Mortal instruments series and the Infernal devices series first though. Just so you have a basic handle on the plot and characters. They are side stories after all.

10/10 would read again, and again, and again. The High Warlock of Brooklyn bids you good day, he's a very busy warlock you know.

Christmas Countdown Review #16 - The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

Hello gentle readers. I apologize, I'm late on the update...by about 5 days...I'll catch up as quickly as I can.

This review is on The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket, the first book in the 13 part Series of Unfortunate Events.

It starts, rather gloomily, with an author's note on why this book should, under no circumstances, be read. From there our 3 protagonists Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire are introduced and our tale of woe begins. They are on a dreary beach and are given devastating news after which they go to live with their awful uncle who plots to steal the family fortune. Will they get away from the tyrannical Count Olaf? Will he succeed in stealing their fortune? What happens next?

This book, is actually quite cleverly written and pretty great. there are codes (no I won't give them away), villains, a hook handed man, pasta puttanesca and much more. Despite Lemony's desperate pleas to find something else to read (see the forward if you don't believe me) if you should persevere and read this book (which you totally should) I think you'll love it.

Yes I know, it's a short review today, I didn't get much sleep last night and have to be up in about 8 hours so this is where I leave you. I'll try to catch up tomorrow, or maybe tomorrow night, it's my mom's birthday though so I make no promises as to my updating schedule.

As for books I've recently finished reading, I FINALLY FINISHED THE BANE CHRONICLES, so I think I'll review that next...maybe...as always, keep reading, writing, and reviewing and the comment box is always open for comments and suggestions.

Christmas Countdown Review #15 - The Sign of the Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Greetings Holmesians and mystery fans of all ages, dedicated readers, I return to you today with my 15th Christmas countdown review. Upon my wading trough the masses of books that endeavour to take over my home I came across a little book that I hadn't seen or indeed read in quite some time. I acquired it as a party favour (a rather wonderful party favour, from my friend Maria, whom I have known for quite some time (I've known her since I was four (at least), let's leave it at that). One birthday she endeavoured to have a mystery party and this was the party favour that came of it, a Collector's Library, complete and unabridged, but still quite small, edition of A Study in Scarlet and the Sign of the Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

The Sign of the Four begins, as most of Sherlock Holmes' adventures begin, at 221B Baker Street, the flat that he and Doctor Watson rent from their landlady Mrs. Hudson. But this one begins differently, Holmes has fallen into a sort of melancholic/cocaine induced haze in the sitting room at 221B. He is bored and hasn't had a case in a while but a distraught Mary Morstan steps into the midst with a case that sounds right up their alley. Miss Morstan's father had vanished some 10 years before and 4 years after his disappearance she begins receiving gifts, one large pearl every year. She is at last invited to meet her mysterious gift giver and what follows is a tale of treasure, intrigue, and yes, indeed love. will she meet her mysterious benefactor? What happened to her father 10 years ago? Will Mary Morstan remain in the picture? What goes on in Watson's semi-non-existent love life?

All this and more will be answered as the story unfolds.

I have to say I do enjoy the Sherlock Holmes series and if Conan Doyle was around to hear me say that he'd be kicking himself. But I do, I love them they're wonderful. This one is especially intriguing and action packed and everyone should find a way to read these stories. Whether in E-Book format or paper book (I have it on good authority that there are some websites where you can get them for free (Amazon and Project Gutenberg being just two of them). So read some Sherlock Holmes and get a daily does of Holmesian wit and adventure!

That's all for me today folks, well, for right now at least, I'll be posting today's review shortly I suspect...until next time keep reading, writing and Happy Holidays!

Christmas Countdown Review #14 - City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Back again, this time with today's review, the second in The Mortal Instruments series; City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare.

City of Ashes picks up where city of Bones left off. Despite the wonderful world that she now knows surrounds her Clary can't help but wish that her life would return to the way it was before her mother got kidnapped by Valentine's Ravener demon, before she met Jace, before she say them kill the blue haired demon at the club. Although, she's got her brother to help her find her way in this world now, and she's got the Shadowhunters of the Institute, even if she and the Lightwood siblings *cough Alec cough* don't always see eye to eye. It isn't long before the Institute gets wind of killings, a werewolf child, a faerie child, it doesn't take long for them to realize that this is all a part of Valentine's newest plot.  But will Valentine's new plot, to cleanse the Mortal Sword and bind it to his allegiance, come to fruition, or will they be able to stop him? Read on to find out more.

This book is great, City of Bones was wonderful and the continuation of the series is just as wonderful. I would say that, especially for fans of City of Bones, this book is a must-read. Of course, it's a must-read for everyone else who likes fantasy novels as well but I'd suggest reading City of Bones first.

That's all for today, I'll try to post again tomorrow morning with my 15th review but I'm not sure what that's going to be just yet. I also have to finish my Christmas shopping tomorrow (although finishing it may be wishful thinking, I will/should get more done though) so I might not post until the evening. Also, for anyone on Pottermore, have you started the 12 days of Christmas thing yet? You get early access to the first 12 moments in Half-Blood Prince!!

Until next time keep reading, writing and wrapping, Happy Holidays!

Christmas Countdown Review #13 - Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

I'm back with my 13th review of the season, Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson is, chiefly, about 2 boys, both named Will Grayson, as you may have gathered. They've never met each other in their life and they have absolutely nothing connecting them, until one fateful night that is. When they happen to run into each other, quite by accident, it sets of a spiral of events that change both of their live for the better. As it turns out both of their lives go in new, romantic and fabulous directions. Will the most fabulous high school musical ever be a flop? What led tothe fated meeting of the Wills Grayson? What goes on as they become better friends? You'll have to read on and find out.

This book is amazingly funny and witty and wonderful and the collaboration couldn't have been between two better authors. Though I should warn you, each Will Grayson narrates separate chapters, by which I mean one narrates the odd chapters and one narrates the even. Often you can tell by the perspective and the way they talk and the other characters they refer to but, especially if you're reading this at 2:30 in the morning when you can't sleep, it can get confusing especially as their lives entwine more and more thus entwining their friends lives as well.

All in all I loved this book, it was wonderful, funny as I mentioned and witty and one of the most thoroughly entertaining books I've ever read. I would recommend this book to anyone who like young adult fiction, John Green, musicals, John Green, you get the idea.

That's all for today folks but do come back in a little while as I'll finally be doing my 14th book review which means I'll be all caught up! Hopefully I won't get that behind again, I shouldn't but you never know what comes up during the holidays.

Christmas Countdown Review #12 - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Hi everyone, I know it's been a while (well, 3 days) since my last review but you get 3 reviews today! Days 12-14. I thought I'd have more time to update after my exams were over but it turned into a really busy weekend.

Anyway, on to the review, Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.

Mockingjay is the 3rd book in the Hunger Games trilogy and Mockingjay part 1 is coming out soon, hence the review.

Mockingjay picks up directly in the aftermath of Catching Fire when Katniss is rescued, obviously the Capitol still has Peeta and Katniss is adamant that something must be done. When they reach the home of the resistance (It's District 13 but you didn't hear that from me) Katniss is briefed on the situation and her role as the Mockingjay and they begin to plan. They plan Peeta's rescue, discussing whether or not it's even possible, the rebellion, the possible overthrow of the Capitol and President Snow, whether or not that is a goal which can be reached, they talk about everything, planning down to the last detail. Will Katniss and her family ever be reunited? Will they be able to rescue Peeta? Will the corrupt Capitol and President Snow ever be overthrown? Read on to find out.

As a dystopian future series the Hunge Games is very good and well loved by many. Mockingjay is a very good book, at the beginning at least. I did like it bu the ending left me wanting more. The way that it ends just didn't seem right for some reason. (Those who have read Mockingjay know exactly what I'm talking about). The rest of the book was OK what with the rebellion and the overthrow of the Capitol and everything It's just the ending that didn't seem right. Of course I'm not going to spoil everything by telling you exactly what didn't seem right about the ending. You'll have to read the book to find out,

All in all, as the end to a series it was alright but overall I think I'd give it a 7/10.

That's all for this review and I'll see you next time with the 13th review!

Christmas Countdown Review #11 - Paper Towns by John Green

Today's actually review, number 11, for the 11th day (no really?) is about Paper Towns by John Green.

Our story starts in Jefferson Park, Orlando with Quentin "Q" Jacobsen and Margo Roth Spiegelman, friends since childhood. However, as is usual for friends who've been that way for a while, they, inevitably, begin to grow apart. That is, until 1 night when they are both in high school and Margo enlists Q's help to get revenge on those who've done her wrong. Margo tells Quentin about her theory about  the "Paper Towns" towns that are so fake they're not even plastic fake, they're just paper, they have not substance (or very little substance).

One day, Margo runs away, trying to escape the Paper Towns and find somewhere real. Quentin goes after her, deciphering her cryptic clue trail that only he understands, along the way. Will he find Margo? Do they find somewhere that's real? Read on to find out.

I did supremely enjoy this book. I found it delightful, intriguing and suspenseful all at once, I say  9.99/10 if not 10/10. I'm not purposefully being cryptic here but I want to post no spoilers...also, there is to be a Paper Towns movie, starring Nat Wolff (Isaac from The Fault in Our Stars). As with all books that are turned into movies, I suggest reading the books first as they almost always differ in major aspect and that can be frustrating for those who've read the book because you know they've changed bits and left bits out but at the same time, you know what's supposed to happen so when you go back and read the book again your mind fills in the gaps automatically.

Anther amazing read from John Green. I'll see you tomorrow for another review, until then, keep reading, writing and reviewing!