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Review: City of Bones

City of Bones (Mortal Instruments, book1) by Cassandra Clare

I give this book a 4.

 

A book about the existence and intermingling of angles with human beings, why wouldn’t I like this?

This is the Nephilim genre at its YA best, as its heroine Clary encounters the world of Shadowhunters for the first time. Clary isn’t a social outcast just waiting for some adventure to enter her life. She’s a normal teen with normal issues, but soon learns that she’s so much more. A chance encounter at a nightclub opens her up to a whole other world that exists in the shadows.

After Clary’s chance encounter, all she wants to do is go home and forget what she saw and hopes that “they” forget seeing her. But that would be too easy. Chance encounters or not, the world of the Shadowhunters was destined to come knocking at her door, and her mother knew this all alone. The problem now is that her mother is missing and she has to depend on strangers to help her find answers.

I really liked this book. I must admit that I allowed myself to be too hyped before reading it and was thus left a little disappointed. I wanted more, but I guess that’s why it’s a series. It’s no secret that I struggle with the YA genre. I have enough problems of my own that make it difficult for me to relate to the struggles of the ever changing, growing, and maturing mind of teenagers, but this book was good.

I adored the lore of this story and the way it plays into the actions of the characters. I liked the mixture of mysticism and magic. There were times, however, when I felt there was too much going on. There were too many creatures and beings to keep up with, but I guess it all worked for the story in the end.  This a definitely a good read for teens, but even adults with a passion for fantasy will enjoy this one.

*I was hoping for a little more spirituality to be infused with a story of this nature, but it is what it is.

This review has been posted to GoodReads.

If you’d like to obtain a copy of this book, try this link.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

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Guest Posts

Burnt Promises by Brenda Perlin

Book Title: see comments below

Series: Brooklyn and Bo Chronicles

Author Name: Brenda Perlin

Publisher: Master Koda Select Publishing

Reading Level: Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Content Rating: R -for adult subject matter

Available Formats: Ebook

Number of Pages: 151

Purchase Links: Consumer Review by Ea Stanmore | Home Wrecker II: The Brooklyn Chronicles is available, for a limited time only, for $0.99 at Amazon.com

Book Blurb

Brooklyn Rosen had high moral principles and was raised properly. Married for over fifteen years, those standards went out the window along with her fidelity when she met Bo. After becoming a self-proclaimed “Home Wrecker” Brooklyn left behind her marital home, along with the damage caused by her emotional wrecking ball. But the whispered remarks followed.

In “Brooklyn and Bo Chronicles” we learn what shaped Brooklyn, the trials of an unhappy marriage and a deep abiding love that would not be denied. We meet a troubled, spiteful wife, who does not want to become an “ex”.

Will Brooklyn and Bo survive, or will all be lost to a bitter woman?

Book Excerpt

On the day that I left for good, I remember getting into my car like I always did. While driving out of the garage I watched our dog Grace watching me drive away. I knew it would be for the last time. Fortunately, she wouldn’t remember any of it. As for me, I wouldn’t be able to get that image out of my head. As I drove away, tears filled my eyes. The guilt that I felt at that moment was insurmountable. Those tears that I cried were the only tears that I shed throughout that entire time period. Never once did I cry for my husband.

Author bio

Brenda Perlin is an independent adult contemporary fiction author.   Brenda evokes emotional responses in her readers by using a provocatively unique writing style.   Her latest book in the Brooklyn and Bo Chronicles, captures the soul-wrenching conflicts of a personal struggle for emotional fulfillment.

Ever since Brenda was a child, she has been fascinated with writing.  She draws her biggest inspiration from Judy Blume.  This sparked a passion in Brenda to pursue personal expression through writing.  Once she was old enough to go to coffee shops alone, Brenda recalls losing herself in the world of writing, all while documenting her ideas on paper napkins.

“There is really no creative process, I just write,” – Brenda Perlin

Brenda’s first book, Brooklyn and Bo Chronicles, was published with Master Koda Select Publishing. Within a short time, the book developed a strong fan base and is continuing to grow as it both entertains its readers and leaves them in a state of profound reflection.  In the near future, Brenda would like to have Brooklyn and Bo Chronicles expanded into a trilogy in order to tell the untold stories of her characters.

Author Links:

Blog: http://brendaperlin.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrooklynandBoChronicles

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrooklynandBo

Website: http://Brooklynandbo.com

Also to learn more about this author, check out her special Facebook Interview here.

See the title and cover updates for this book, at the link, provide by the author in the comments below.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

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About Toi Author Insights

Happy Birthday to Me!

This October 21, 2013 I’m celebrating my birthday by independently publishing two new works of fiction and baking myself cupcakes. I’m so excited about all the wonderful things happening with my Eternal Curse Series and the pending release of Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel, but these two works are something completely different from me. I hope you will consider taking a look at what I’ve put together and also check out my companion guide if you have chance.

Thank you all…and here’s to another wonderfully blessed year!

If you happen to feel it your heart to share this, please do so.

My ebooks are currently available for purchase on Amazon for $2.99 each.
Unexplained: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G16EWA6
Legend of the Boy: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G15X7KI
40 Days and Nights of Eternal Curse: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E79CP5I

You can follow along with all my birthday, cupcake, and general sharing fun at Facebook this week, using this link.

This is an unofficial Author Insights post.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords