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literatureaesthetic's Reviews (540)
“Words save our lives, sometimes.”
This is the first Neil Gaiman book I've ever read. And after hearing a lot about him, I had very high expectations. I was not disappointed.
The characters were splendid in this book (The Hempsteads are my favourite). And the drawings, although quite haunting at times, added a depth to this book that goes beyond the art of words. It added a dimension to this book that I haven't really experienced before, I found it also made me a lot more attached to the plot, and the characters. I recommend this book to every adult, who sometimes dreams of a time when life was 'easier', and I definitely recommend this Illustrated Edition, where the artwork is beautiful
This is the first Neil Gaiman book I've ever read. And after hearing a lot about him, I had very high expectations. I was not disappointed.
The characters were splendid in this book (The Hempsteads are my favourite). And the drawings, although quite haunting at times, added a depth to this book that goes beyond the art of words. It added a dimension to this book that I haven't really experienced before, I found it also made me a lot more attached to the plot, and the characters. I recommend this book to every adult, who sometimes dreams of a time when life was 'easier', and I definitely recommend this Illustrated Edition, where the artwork is beautiful
“There was beauty in the idea of freedom, but it was an illusion. Every human heart was chained by love.”
In Lady Midnight, we are introduced to Emma and her parabatai Julian Blackthorn, as well as the rest of the Blackthorn family. After Emma's parents were killed in the Dark War, Emma has been hellbent on getting revenge on her parents killer. Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches across Los Angeles. If that wasn't enough, Mark Blackthorn, who was captured by the Wild Hunt, is returned to L.A as a bargaining chip. The faeries want to know who's killing their kind, but this is only possible if an illegal alliance is formed with Shadowhunters.
Cassandra Clare, as always, has written a beautiful book that is full of forbidden love, faeries and necromancy. I adore the characters in Lady Midnight. The Blackthorn family is perfect. Each sibling is completely different and have their own issues, but they fit together so well. My heart aches for Julian, the brother forced to become a parent at the age of twelve. Emma also lives with the Blackthorn family, despite not actually being a Blackthorn, she is very much a significant part of their family, I think that their relationship are so precious.
I love how real the shadowhunter universe feels with this novel. We are expanded on things like the Scholomance, these little details make the world feel realer than ever. The plot itself was really well done. My heart goes out the villain, but I also kind of despise him due to the choices he makes. The villains story is one of complete sadness, and you can't help but feel some kind of sympathy.
I think this book is amazing. From the first page it is clear that Cassandra's writing has developed dramatically. It is much more sophisticated, and I love it.
In Lady Midnight, we are introduced to Emma and her parabatai Julian Blackthorn, as well as the rest of the Blackthorn family. After Emma's parents were killed in the Dark War, Emma has been hellbent on getting revenge on her parents killer. Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches across Los Angeles. If that wasn't enough, Mark Blackthorn, who was captured by the Wild Hunt, is returned to L.A as a bargaining chip. The faeries want to know who's killing their kind, but this is only possible if an illegal alliance is formed with Shadowhunters.
Cassandra Clare, as always, has written a beautiful book that is full of forbidden love, faeries and necromancy. I adore the characters in Lady Midnight. The Blackthorn family is perfect. Each sibling is completely different and have their own issues, but they fit together so well. My heart aches for Julian, the brother forced to become a parent at the age of twelve. Emma also lives with the Blackthorn family, despite not actually being a Blackthorn, she is very much a significant part of their family, I think that their relationship are so precious.
I love how real the shadowhunter universe feels with this novel. We are expanded on things like the Scholomance, these little details make the world feel realer than ever. The plot itself was really well done. My heart goes out the villain, but I also kind of despise him due to the choices he makes. The villains story is one of complete sadness, and you can't help but feel some kind of sympathy.
I think this book is amazing. From the first page it is clear that Cassandra's writing has developed dramatically. It is much more sophisticated, and I love it.
City of Fallen Angels follows the story of Clary, Simon and their shadowhunter friends as they recover from the events that occured in Idris. Simon adjusts to his new Mark of Cain as well as juggling his vampire needs with his mortal life. Clary and Jace begin to find their feet after the death of Valentine and Sebastian.
Overall, I thought this story was more of a filler story. Its main focus is on the characters as they are brought back to reality and their lives in America. With the arrival of characters like Clarisse, this proves to be more difficult than it sounds. In comparison to the rest of the books in the series, I think this is quite boring. The only real action we receive in City of Fallen Angels is the last 2 or 3 chapters. In general, I found myself skipping pages and zoning out which isn't something you expect when reading a book in the middle of a fantasy series. I think this book is necessary to read if you want to continue with the series, but isn't the best book of The Mortal Instruments.
Overall, I thought this story was more of a filler story. Its main focus is on the characters as they are brought back to reality and their lives in America. With the arrival of characters like Clarisse, this proves to be more difficult than it sounds. In comparison to the rest of the books in the series, I think this is quite boring. The only real action we receive in City of Fallen Angels is the last 2 or 3 chapters. In general, I found myself skipping pages and zoning out which isn't something you expect when reading a book in the middle of a fantasy series. I think this book is necessary to read if you want to continue with the series, but isn't the best book of The Mortal Instruments.
This is around 4.5/5 stars for me.
This was so good. I have no idea how Brandon Sanderson managed to make me care so much and love a character in such a short amount of pages. Idk why, but this kinda gave me 'The Empress of Salt and Fortune' vibes, only better. I love that this was clearly influenced by other magic systems in the Cosmere, despite it being set on Sel, the same world that Elantris is set in. I *love* Shai, I really hope we get to see more of her. The magic system was STUNNING, and left me in awe.
Ugh Sanderson just never misses.
This was so good. I have no idea how Brandon Sanderson managed to make me care so much and love a character in such a short amount of pages. Idk why, but this kinda gave me 'The Empress of Salt and Fortune' vibes, only better. I love that this was clearly influenced by other magic systems in the Cosmere, despite it being set on Sel, the same world that Elantris is set in. I *love* Shai, I really hope we get to see more of her. The magic system was STUNNING, and left me in awe.
Ugh Sanderson just never misses.
4 Stars ☆☆☆☆
'People were messy. They were defined not only by what they'd done, but by what they would have done, under different circumstances, molded as much by their regrets as their actions, choices they stood by and those they wished they could undo. Of course, there was no going back - time only moved forward - but people could change.'
Kate Harker is a girl who hunts monsters. And she's good at it. August Flynn is a monster who can never be human. Nearly six months after Kate and August were first thrown together, the war between the monsters and the humans is a terrifying reality. In Verity, August has become the leader he never wished to be, and in Prosperity, Kate has become the ruthless hunter she knew she could be. When a new monster emerges from the shadows -one who feeds on chaos and brings out its victim's inner demons- Kate must face a monster she thought she'd killed, a boy she thought she knew and a demon all her own…
After leaving This Savage Song disappointed, I really wasn't expecting much from Our Dark Duet. However, this sequel was much better than the first book. Immediately, I was gripped. The pacing in this book was perfect, I think the action was flawless and I was dying for the character development
'People were messy. They were defined not only by what they'd done, but by what they would have done, under different circumstances, molded as much by their regrets as their actions, choices they stood by and those they wished they could undo. Of course, there was no going back - time only moved forward - but people could change.'
Kate Harker is a girl who hunts monsters. And she's good at it. August Flynn is a monster who can never be human. Nearly six months after Kate and August were first thrown together, the war between the monsters and the humans is a terrifying reality. In Verity, August has become the leader he never wished to be, and in Prosperity, Kate has become the ruthless hunter she knew she could be. When a new monster emerges from the shadows -one who feeds on chaos and brings out its victim's inner demons- Kate must face a monster she thought she'd killed, a boy she thought she knew and a demon all her own…
After leaving This Savage Song disappointed, I really wasn't expecting much from Our Dark Duet. However, this sequel was much better than the first book. Immediately, I was gripped. The pacing in this book was perfect, I think the action was flawless and I was dying for the character development
Princess Lira is a lethal siren, revered throughout the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.
This book was intense. And I loved every bit of it. When listening to this as a audiobook, I wasn't expecting to fall in love with the characters as quickly as I did. I adore Lira. She's fierce, strong, independent and brave. An inspiring female. I also love, Elian. The chapters in his perspective were interesting, to say the least. Elian is torn between two worlds: The cunning world of thievery, and the world of riches and entitlement. Elian's internal battle between Prince and Pirate was definitely a advantage to this book. It added another dimension and substance to his character. The overall plot was captivating. Reading about this beautiful aquatic world tainted by a depraved Queen, and the war between humans and sirens was both original and enthralling.
Absolutely a 5 star read, and the hype this book received is very well deserved
This book was intense. And I loved every bit of it. When listening to this as a audiobook, I wasn't expecting to fall in love with the characters as quickly as I did. I adore Lira. She's fierce, strong, independent and brave. An inspiring female. I also love, Elian. The chapters in his perspective were interesting, to say the least. Elian is torn between two worlds: The cunning world of thievery, and the world of riches and entitlement. Elian's internal battle between Prince and Pirate was definitely a advantage to this book. It added another dimension and substance to his character. The overall plot was captivating. Reading about this beautiful aquatic world tainted by a depraved Queen, and the war between humans and sirens was both original and enthralling.
Absolutely a 5 star read, and the hype this book received is very well deserved
It was great! That language was extremely poetic and lyrical, the descriptions and world-building was told in great depth. The plot twists were very unpredictable, as least for me they were. The only reason this is 4 stars instead of 5, is that there were some scenes and descriptions that dragged or were longer than necessary. I noticed this seemed to dull the excitement as I read on. It was a great book though, and I do recommend it.