Review: Fateful by Claudia Gray

Fateful by: Claudia Gray
Publication Date: September 13, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Count: 328
Format: Hardcover
Series: Unknown
Genre: Fantasy, Historical, Paranormal Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon

Summary from Goodreads:

Eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, troubled family she serves. It's 1912, and Tess has been trapped in the employ of the Lisles for years, amid painful memories and twisted secrets. But now the Lisle family is headed to America, with Tess in tow. Once the ship they're sailing on--the RMS "Titanic"--reaches its destination, Tess plans to strike out and create a new life for herself.
 
Her single-minded focus shatters when she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets of his own. He's in a hurry to leave Europe, and whispers aboard the ship say it's because of the tragic end of his last affair with the French actress who died so gruesomely and so mysteriously. . . .
 
Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec's past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves exist and are stalking him--and now her, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the "Titanic" is over.
In "Fateful," "New York Times" bestselling author Claudia Gray delivers paranormal adventure, dark suspense, and alluring romance set against the opulent backdrop of the "Titanic"'s first--and last--voyage.

My Review:

Set with a backdrop of the RMS Titanic, I knew that this would be a mesmerizing read. I've always had a keen interest in the history of the Titanic, and seeing that with an added paranormal element made it so much more enticing.


Tess is a ladies maid for a wealthy British family, the Lisles. This book was completely in her perspective and it was refreshing and surprising to experience what the thoughts are of the servants. In movies, TV shows, and books, the help is usually portrayed in the background or as bleak and unimportant. Hearing what its like to be in the head of a servant in a rich family really puts things into perspective. 


Every character in Fateful has a complex intricacy, even the minor ones. Tess especially. She was incredibly strong and understanding of the strange and unexplainable things that were happening constantly around her. With the feral nature of Mikhail threatening her every move, she braved through it all with her chin up.

Alec was one of those characters who will go to the ends of the earth to protect the people he cares about. While that is admirable all of the time, it is dangerous and reckless sometimes. But still, I couldn't help thinking he'd be anyone girls knight (wolf?) in shining armor. Tess's strength about Alec's secret makes for the perfect coupling of two exquisite characters.The concept of werewolves on the Titanic seemed a bit strange to me at first but became intriguing and thrilling soon after opening the book. The ancient and modern reaches of the Brotherhood made it hard for me to imagine a happy ending, but alas, you will have to read it to find out!

Official Rating:

Four and a half Un-Birthday Cakes!

Other Books by Claudia Gray:

         

Clockwork Prince by: Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince by: Cassandra Clare
Publication Date: December 6, 2011
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Page Count: 502
Format: Hardcover/Collector's First Edition
Series: Infernal Devices #2
Buy the Book: Amazon

Summary from Goodreads:

  In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

 With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

 Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

 As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

 
My Review:

For an entire year I waited for this book, during which time I formed ideas in my mind as to how the book would play out. None of what I guessed, happened, of course. It was so much better than I could've imagined!

Tessa Gray is one of my favorite characters. Her love of books is amazing and very relatable to myself. Also, she is so full of mystery, because we still don't know what she is! This bothered me a bit and now I have yet another reason to pine like crazy for Clockwork Princess.

The setting of Victorian Era London is even further accentuated in Clockwork Prince. There is also a bit of Yorkshire in there too. I love everything about the UK and so I especially enjoyed escaping into the historical world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders.

After reading Clockwork Angel, I wasn't exactly sure how I felt about Jem. He was a great character, but nothing really made me very interested in him. In this book, however, I completely fell in love with him! No joke. He is utterly selfless and seems to absorb the emotions of the people he cares about, as if they are his own. His sickness made me so sad, especially as his relationship with Tessa started to heat up. Cassandra better find a cure, is all I have to say!

Since people are proudly declaring themselves Team Jem or Team Will, I feel obliged to say that I am proudly on board with Tem Will! This book revealed so much about Will and his past. To everyone surrounding him, he seemed like an unloving, contemptuous, sarcastic boy. When really, he loved so greatly and passionately than any of them. This made me cry a few times, both of joy and sadness.

And, as most of you know who have read any of Cassandra's works, there was an abrupt cliffhanger ending. It showed a lot of promise though, for Will's future especially.

Official Rating

Five Un-Birthday Cakes!

City of Ashes by: Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes by: Cassandra Clare
Published: March 25th 2008
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Format: Hardcover/soft cover/eBook
Page count: 464
Series: #2 in Mortal Instruments Series
Buy the book:

Summary from Goodreads:

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? In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

My Review:

For anyone who has read City of Ashes, this review probably isn't needed--you'll already be running toward the nearest bookstore looking for it, dying to have some answers. Although this book presents just as many questions as it does answers (if not more so), its complex storyline, characters, and concepts are enough to keep readers coming back for more every time, and City of Ashes is no exception to the series so far.

I don't feel compelled to retell the summary (above), so let me tell you this much: the constant mystery, suspense, and curveballs of the plot will leave readers gasping for breath by the end; and trust me, Cassandra never lets up. As innovative as the series is in and of itself, it's hard to believe she could take anyone by surprise, but she does so. How difficult it is not to include any spoilers! Anyhow, the development of the characters is amazing, and continues to leave me falling in love with each and every one of them. Clary is still struggling with her romance, and it takes several dark turns throughout Cassandra's breathtaking tale. Still, she does not overdo it as she takes us dozens of places, each drawing us in more in its intrigue, fantasy, and yet touch of realism than the last.

In all, it's an incredible story of mystery, fantasy, darkness, demons, and Hope that comes recommended to every reader. And for those who have not yet read City of Bones: What are you waiting for??

Note: It has been rated 4 stars instead of 5 only for its length--as difficult as I know it is for an author to cut out any word, page, or scene, I think it could've used a *bit* more editing. However, this can be overlooked for its amazing plot and characters, and does not affect my recommendation whatsoever.

Breaking Dawn Movie Review

      For a while before this movie came into theatres, I honestly kind of stopped caring about all the Twlilight Saga hype that was constantly circulating. It was just old news. I had read the series a few years ago and it was great and so were the movies, I just lost interest for some reason.

    Now that it came out just a few days ago, I was planning on seeing it (of course), just not immediately. So, yesterday, someone asked if I wanted to go with them to see it and I said sure, why not?

     There is so much I have to say about this movie, and I have to say it all without any spoilers! Let me start with my overall opinion of this movie. It was far better than any of the previous films and was so full of emotion, I could really feel a connection with each of the characters.

       The movie was pretty dead-on comparable to the book, which is something I always love to see! The acting was a lot better too, I think. Especially with Kristen Stewart. I really thought she absorbed Bella fully and whole-heartedly this time.
    
     As with the book, Bella gains a sense of independence when she decides to go through with her pregnancy, knowing the grave repercussions that would ensue. Her character strengthens a lot and shows ultimate sacrifice and bravery. I must give kudos to the makeup artists and camera people for this movie. The way they made Bella look shrunken in and emaciated was creepy and amazing.
    
     By the halfway point of the movie, I was so wrapped up in all of the tension and emotion that I forgot to drink my soda or reach for popcorn!
     The whole dillemma with the wolf pack was a huge element that they incorporated pretty much all of from the book. I don't know how to say more there without spoiling!
       
            Rosalie and Bella find common ground in the baby to build a sort of positive relationship (friendship?) off of. Rosalie helps her do the things that would only further everyone elses hatred for the baby but most of all, she supports her and defends her.
     
            Jacob plays a big part in the movie, that I can say. I was a bit concerned that they would focus everything on Edward and Bella, but they had a pretty steady balance of both.

     Oh! I almost forgot! During the wedding scene, they show Stephenie Meyer in the audience, looking at Bella proudly. As a writer, I almost teared up a bit watching that. It was as if she was watching Bella walk down the aisle, knowing that her character had grown up and become a stronger person than she anticipated, who could make her own decisions. It is how I imagine I would look if it were time to let my character grow up or just get married, even.

    Now its time for me to force myself to become frustrated and excited all over again. The ending literally had me about to stamp my feet on the ground right there in front of the entire audience, and demand to see another minute more! Ever since I heard that this movie was going to be split into two parts, I knew how part one was going to end. All of you who read the book can probably guess pretty well too. This movie's ending is the mother of all cliffhanger endings! UGH! It is so frustrating that I have to wait another YEAR before I see what happens. I mean, all I asked for was another minute or so, is that so much?!

 

  

Nightshade by: Andrea Cremer

Nightshade by: Andrea Cremer
Published: October 19, 2010
Publisher: Philomel, Penguin Group
Series: #1 in Nightshade Series
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 452
Buy the Book: http://amzn.to/u635MD

Summary from Goodreads:

         Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything- including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

My Review:

       This book is the  first werewolf book that I have read. It turned out to be what I expected and much more! I liked all of the lore and history it portrayed. At times, I found my heart pounding to learn another secret about the pack's history.
       Ren, Shay, and Calla made for the edgiest love triangle. There was always so much tension between every one of them. It was ultimately hard to chose which guy I thought she should be with. But isn't that always the case?
       Calla's character is probably one of my favorite female protagonists. She has so much dedication to protecting her pack and obligating to the tradtions, yet through the whole book she is struggling with what she thinks is right and what she knows is wrong.
      I always like reading books and exploring the different take they use on supernatural creatures. This one was unique to me. Maybe that's just because it's the first werewolf book I've read but I have read books with werewolves in them and this was a fresh and exciting new view that I am glad to have experienced.
         In parts, Nightshade was a bit predictable but not extremely so. Even when I predicted what was going to happen next, it didn't dilute the incredible effect the book had on me.
        At the end, a new and unexpected question popped up in my mind; a big one. It was only a couple pages from the last page and I knew it wasn't going to be answered by the end and now I have to drop everything and get Wolfsbane!