Sunday, June 15, 2014

Moving

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So, if you follow me on Twitter you know that I have been toying with the idea of moving the blog over to a Wordpress format. Well after much consideration I have decided that is the best course of action for the blog.

I'm not a huge fan of the blogger platform and have a histroy with Wordpress, so it just made sense for me. I'd love for all of you who follow the blog to head over to Wordpress and see the new site!

 https://thegoldenmantle.wordpress.com/

Monday, June 9, 2014

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare Plus Giveaway!

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Book Six: City of Heavenly Fire

So if you have been in the YA space for the last couple of years you have probably heard of Cassandra Clare and her Shadownhunters series. I started the series back in High School many moons ago and was anxiously awaiting the end of Clary and the gang's saga. I find that people are of two opinions when it comes to the books, either they wish Clare had finished with the Valentine plot, or they love the books and continuously want more. Usually, I am of the second camp. Why knock a good thing? Harry Potter seven books right? But I've got to say, when it comes to this story line, it seems to have become a bit stale for me. I love the world Clare has created and her other series was amazing, but I think this story had a very clear ending and by dragging it out into six books it's staled a little for me. 

Here's what I liked: Clare's ability to create the Shadowhunter world is insane. The way that all of her characters so closely interweave is continuously impressive, and I love trying to but the families and the legacies together. I also love Jace and Clary. One thing I never tire of is their relationship. It's come a long way since the first book, and even Simon notices how it's evolved. If you haven't read that part yet, you'll know what I'm talking about when you do. I love Simon too. He really does bring a lightness and a humanity, even six books in, and I completely love him for that. Basically, Clare's ability to write remains, as my friend put it "off the chain," 

Here's what made me cringe: The subplots. There were like three. Some made sense, some were marketing tools. Good on you for making use of your built in audience to make way for the next books, really, but adding it so heavily into the story made it drag at times. It felt like I was sloshing through to get to the good stuff. Girl, I love you already--I don't need you to force feed me the next chapter, I'll buy it. I wanted to enjoy the ending of Clary's chapter, but most of the time I was slogging through the set up to the next series, and the back story of the other series and I became uninterested. That's another thing. Honestly, if you haven't read her other works "The Infernal Devices," and "The Bane Chronicles," you are going to spend 75% of the book confused. There are a lot of references to those books made Finally, I was not a fan of the ending. Talk about wrapping it all up in a bow. I'm of the strong belief if you make a massive decision the way Clare did, you should stick with it. Don't try and please everyone. If you do something awful to a main character or in this case characters I think it's a more poignant message, especially in the world she created, to stick to your choices. 

Overall, I say if you are a fan of the books, you'll enjoy the finale--for the most part I did. But if it's not something you love/haven't read them all and Clare's other works, maybe pick up something else. You'll spend a lot of time scratching your head. 7/10 



Now onto the giveaway!! I am giving away a copy of City of Heavenly Fire. I really do love Clare's writing and am a true fan of her work. I think this is a great book to complete your Mortal Instruments collection. Please note that this giveaway is only open to those in the U.S.


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