Cress by Marissa Meyer

Cress by Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles, #3
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 551
Source: Purchased

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

 

When I started this one I was expecting to be thrown right back where we left off with Cinder and Scarlet and their crew. To an extent I guess I was but it was through the eyes of Cress. I'm just going to come right out and say that out of all of the characters that have been introduced and have joined Cinder's group, Cress is my least favorite.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved this book, but in a way it left me wanting more from Cress as a character. There was nothing wrong with the plot or the story, because trust me there was enough action and heart stopping moments to keep me going. Cress was just a little blah as a character. She had her own thing going and that was totally cool but she was so naïve and had no clue about much of anything that it got a little tedious.

The ragtag team of heroes definitely do go through their own growths in this one. Thorne was the most surprising, he developed a lot in this one and I definitely enjoyed seeing more of him. Cinder also really seemed to grow into herself in this and that was a great thing because she really needs to step up the game. After Scarlet, most of you who read my review will know I was less than thrilled with Kai but he redeemed himself in this book.

Cress left me eagerly awaiting the last book in this series. I can't wait to see how it all turns out and whether or not Cinder and her group get their happy endings.

Night of Cake & Puppets by Laini Taylor

Night of Cake & Puppets by Laini Taylor
Series: Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #2.5
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Format: Kindle
Pages: 89
Source: Purchased

In Night of Cake & Puppets, Taylor brings to life a night only hinted at in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy—the magical first date of fan-favorites Zuzana and Mik. Told in alternating perspectives, it’s the perfect love story for fans of the series and new readers alike. Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her best friend, Karou, calls her “rabid fairy,” her “voodoo eyes” are said to freeze blood, and even her older brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or “Violin Boy,” her courage deserts her. Now, enough is enough. Zuzana is determined to meet him, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan. It’s a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter’s night before finally leading him to the treasure: herself! Violin Boy’s not going to know what hit him.

When I saw that this had been published, I knew right away that I would be buying it. If you know me at all you know that I am absolutely in love with the Daughter of Smoke & Bone series, and this novella is no different. The only problem I had with it is that I wish it had been longer!

The fact that it's told in Zuzana and Mik's points of view just make it even better. I love Zuzana, she's actually one of my favorite characters in the series and I love every chance we get to see her in the books. She's just so funny and strange and lovely that it's impossible not to love her. Mik is a definite bonus in this story. There's not too much about him in the series and I really hope that changes with the last book. It was great to really get to see his character, plus he plays the violin.

The novella was sweet and completely adorable. I loved the insecurities that they both had and the way they come together is really unique and had me smiling the whole time. If you're a fan of the series then you definitely need to check this story out.

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
Series: The Mortal Instruments, #3
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 541
Source: Borrowed from my sister

To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the third installment of the New York Times bestselling series The Mortal Instruments.

 

There's just something about this series that has me captured. Cassandra Clare's writing definitely drew me in from the first book and I'm glad to say it hasn't let go of me yet. There's just something about it that's completely magical yet has themes that any person can relate to.

 

What I really loved about this installment is that there is so much more action. Yet at the same time we also get to see the characters when they aren't fighting. We see relationships strengthen and even ones begin to form. I love the humor throughout this book, yet it's bittersweet because there are moments that tore my heart to shreds.

 

The biggest thing for me was getting to see more of characters that weren't really focused on too much in the first two books. Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood get a lot more time in this book and you really get to see them grow as characters and I loved every single minute of it. Magnus happens to be my favorite character and whenever there's a scene with him I'm usually laughing my butt off because he really brings a lightness to the heavy moments in the book.

 

If you haven't started this series yet what are you waiting for? It has action, huge plot twists and really sweet romance. I highly recommend this series it's quickly become one of my favorites and this book just may be my favorite in the series so far.