Nothing but Shadows - Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan

Published;

Publisher:

Pages:

Copy provided by: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Simon challenges the setup of the Shadowhunter Academy and in doing so learns the story of James Herondale and Matthew Fairchild and the unusual way that they became friends and parabatai.

Review: 

I have said it before and I'll say it again.  I love the novellas that Cassandra Clare writes.  It makes me feel like the world of Shadowhunters hasn't ever really ended.  These little shorts give me enough reminders that she is still working on another series involving the world that I love to read about so much.  Plus, we get to learn about more history between the time period of Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments.  

So in Nothing but Shadows we learn about Will and Tessa's son, James.  He is not nearly as bold as his father but more mild and demure like his mother. He has a great love for his family but lacks so much in self-confidence and awareness.  Because of his unusual upbringing and genes, he is a bit of an abnormality.  In fact, he is much like Simon Lewis.  And his story has a lot to teach young Mr. Lewis about the bonds he creates at the Academy.  

Heart-warming, this short will have you wanting to re-visit the Infernal Devices series once again.  

Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy - by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan

Published: Feb 2015

Publisher: Margaret K McElderry Books

Pages: 78

Copy Provided by: Borrowed

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

After living as a Mundane and a Vampire, Simon never thought he would become a Shadowhunter, but today he begins his training at Shadowhunter Academy.

Review:

Welcome to the Shadowhunter Academy is part of a series of 10 novellas written by Cassandra Clare and her fellow author friends.  They continue along the same vein, after the Dark War.  So if you have not read all 6 books in the Mortal Instruments series then it will definitely be difficult to follow along. 

****  THERE WILL BE SPOILERS **

So Simon is going to go to Shadowhunter Academy to try and find himself after trying to figure out where he stands after the war.  With all of his memories wiped from his head, he is finding it hard to fit back into real life with the friends and relationships he no longer remembers.  There are so many expectations of him yet he doesn't know how to react.

It was so sad to see Simon no remember anything but feel the onslaught of emotions and not understand them.  There was a quote from the book that phrased it perfectly - "...having emotions without the memories.  Simon felt like he was insane to have all of these feelings about strangers, without having them properly backed up by familiarity and experiences he could actually recall."

Early, after arriving at the Academy, Simon does connect with his roommate, George.  He has finally met someone who might be as geeky as himself!  Minus the t-shirts with geeky quotations and sayings.  While reading about the Academy, it felt vaguely like Hogwarts but with swords and deadly weapons rather than spell-casting.  Oh, and Hogwarts seemed to have a much better menu in the mess hall.

One character keeps coming into Simon's life - Isabelle. It was nice to see and I would love to see more of Isabelle's character come to light.  She is beautiful and cold and closed off but deep down she seems quite passionate and they make an interesting couple with weird dynamics that work.  Beauty and the Geek.  I hope the next few novellas bring her out a bit more.

Overall, an excellent start to this off-shoot from the series.  Yay Simon!

- Christinabean

The Last Stand of the New York Institute by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan and Maureen Johnson

Published: December 2013

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Pages: 40

Copy Provided by: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

Summary: 

Magnus meets Valentine in battle as the Circle attacks the Downworlders of New York City.

In the time of the Uprising, Valentine’s Circle goes after Downworlders in New York...and the Shadowhunters of the Institute must decide whether to join him, or fight with Magnus and his kind. This is the first time Magnus sees Jocelyn, Luke, and Stephen—but not the last. It is not long before Jocelyn seeks him out...

Review:

Ah Magnus...he is definitely one of my favorite characters in the Mortal Instruments series. Not only that but to see him cross over into the Infernal Devices series is BRILLIANT!!  Oh to be privy to the stories of his life....oh wait! But we are! With the Bane Chronicles, we learn more about his experiences.  He links the Infernal Devices characters with the Mortal Instruments cast.  Kind of like a long lost relative.  Cassandra Clare ties together all of these neat little puzzle pieces!

So for the past couple weeks I have been trying to read Books 2 - 5 of the Mortal Instruments series as a refresher before I dive into the 6th and final book - City of Heavenly Fire.  However, as much as I love this series, its kind of like having a big heavy meal.  Sometimes you just need a snack.  This is what I've been snacking on...the Bane Chronicles.  :)

Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan

 

Published: July 2012

Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 352

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Readers who love vampire romances will be thrilled to devour Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan. Team Human celebrates and parodies the Twilight books, as well as other classics in the paranormal romance genre.

Mel is horrified when Francis Duvarney, arrogant, gorgeous, and undead, starts at her high school. Mel’s best friend, Cathy, immediately falls for the vampire. Cathy is determined to be with him forever, even if having him turn her could inadvertently make her a zombie.

And Mel is equally determined to prove to her BFF that Francis is no good, braving the city’s vampire district and kissing a cute boy raised by vampires as she searches evidence in this touching and comic novel.

'Team Human' is a very silly novel, but Oh it was so much fun!  When I say 'silly' though, I mean humorously silly - I laughed out loud several times.  Even woke my husband up last night - unfortunately, he was not amused.

Mel - whose name is NOT Melanie -  was a spunky character.  Unsure of what she wants in life and happy to coast along with her friends.  She's a fierce friend though, always there when needed.  I loved her relationships with Cathy, Anna and Ty.  Francis was an absolute hoot - a vampire with absolutely no sense of humour.  He's a bit of a parody really.  The best and worst of other fictional vampires we love to love, and hate.  My favourite character though was Kit.  A human brought up by a 'shade' of vampires.  I'd love to meet him, he was just so understanding.

Kit's vampire 'mother' is also a vampire cop and a member of the ZDU or Zombie Disposal Unit.  Yep, guess what happens to you if you don't transition properly into a vampire?  You got it! You become a zombie.

Larbalestier and Brennan, some of whose previous works I've read and loved*, make a great time this time around.  They have some fabulous world building going on, which includes wonderful explanations for things - see zombies above - and a couple of mysteries for our characters to solve.  All in all, just great laugh out loud fun.  If you're looking for a quick, funny read, you won't go wrong with this one.


* Sarah Rees Brennan - The Demon's Lexicon Trilogy
Justine Larbalestier - How to Ditch Your Fairy

The Midnight Heir (Bane Chronicles #4) - By Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan

Published: July 2013

Publisher: Margaret K McElderry Books

Pages: 40

Copy Provided by: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

In Edwardian London, Magnus Bane discovers old friends and new enemies—including the son of his former comrade Will Herondale. One of ten adventures in The Bane Chronicles.

Magnus thought he would never return to London, but he is lured by a handsome offer from Tatiana Blackthorn, whose plans—involving her beautiful young ward—are far more sinister than Magnus even suspects. In London at the turn of the century, Magnus finds old friends, and meets a very surprising young man . . . the sixteen-year-old James Herondale.

This standalone e-only short story illuminates the life of the enigmatic Magnus Bane, whose alluring personality populates the pages of the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices series. This story in The Bane Chronicles is written by Sarah Rees Brennan and Cassandra Clare.

Review:

I love the Bane Chronicles.  They are the perfect little tidbit to tide you over as you wait patiently for book #6 in this series.  Delving into Magnus Bane's immortal lifespan is a great way for us to see his true personality and how his humorous nature has come to be.  He surrounds himself with odd company and always seems to find trouble...although maybe it is the other way around.  

If you are to read this novella, you most certainly should have read the entire Infernal Devices series as to avoid spoilers.  It gives us a glimpse of time after certain events in Infernal Devices (Clockwork Princess) and leaves room for possible character spin-off series.  

A couple new characters are introduced in this short story - James Herondale and the young miss Grace, ward of Tatiana Blackthorn.  I am eager to learn more of Grace and her possible connection to young James.  Cassie and Sarah work great as a team on this one and I cannot emphasize enough for you to try the Demon's Lexicon series by Sarah Rees Brennan if you enjoyed the Mortal Instruments series.  

 

We are giving away a SIGNED copy of Omens by Kelley Armstrong starting September 1st.  Look for the post and enter to win!

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Published: September 2012

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Pages:370

Copy: Edelweiss

Summary: Goodreads

Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?

I absolutely adored Sarah Rees Brennan's Demon's Lexicon trilogy, so I was supremely excited to get an advanced copy of Unspoken. I was not disappointed. Unspoken turned out to be just as much fun as the others and I loved every minute of it.

Kami is a loveable, spunky and curious protagonist who has come to terms with the voice in her head. How she manages when she discovers that he is a real person makes for sighs and smiles and a few grimaces. Kami has a great sense of humour and is very determined. I wasn't always happy with the decisions that Kami makes about her love life, but I could see where she was coming from, even if I didn't like it. All of the characters are more than the sum of their parts. We think we get to know them, but they are continually surprising us, and not always for the best.

Ash and Jared are a little bit of an enigma and it is interesting to find out more about their lives, their similarities and their differences. Angela and Holly are both tall and gorgeous, but that's where the similarity ends. Angela's indolence is hilarious and she is never afraid to say exactly what she feels, and Holly is definitely more comfortable with boys than girls. I loved them both.There is a wonderful mystery that the group has to solve, and it gets a little creepy here and there.

Unspoken reminded me very much of The Caster Chronicles - which happens to be just about my most favourite series ever - what with a creepy town, mysterious inhabitants returning out of the blue, strange magic and weird weather, but this time the action is set in England, not the US and the magic is from the males in the story, not the girls. Also the whole psychic connection and tortured romance that was going on was similar, but I loved it all. Wonderful characters, exciting storyline, weird magic and a twisted romance - what more could you want?

Same Book, Second Look: Demon's Surrender by Sarah Rees Brennan

Published: June 2011

Publisher: Margaret K McElderry Books

Pages: 387

Copy: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

The Goblin Market has always been the center of Sin’s world. But now the Market is at war with the magicians, and Sin’s place is in danger. Thrown out of the Market she loves, Sin is thrown together with brothers Nick and Alan—whom she’s always despised.

Alan has been marked by a magician and is being tortured so that the magicians can get to Nick. As Sin watches Alan struggle to protect the demon brother he loves, she begins to see him in a new light—but she and Mae are locked in a fierce rivalry over who will inherit the leadership of the Goblin Market, and a decisive battle with the Aventurine Circle is looming. Mae’s brother, Jamie, is holed up with the magicians, his loyalties in question. And Nick—well, who knows what a demon might do to save his brother? How far will Nick go to save Alan—and what will it cost them all?

First off I have to say how much I LOVED this trilogy.  It is now well up on my list of favourites. I had really enjoyed the first two and went out the day after it was released to get my own copy - then for some strange reason I didn't read it.  Perhaps because Christinabean beat me to it? (Check out her review HERE.) I have so little reading time these days, that it seems foolish to read something and then not review it.  Then a few days ago I started reading Demon's Surrender and found myself totally confused.  It was such a long time since I had read the others that I had almost completely forgotten the story line.  The moral here being, if you haven't already read books 1 and 2, don't start with #3.  You need to read this trilogy from the beginning for it to make much sense.

Thankfully it didn't take too long for it all to come back to me and Ms Brennan's magical story telling captured me completely. It is just so easy to fall into her alternate London and become immersed in the Goblin Market with its myriad different characters. This interchange between Sin, Mae and Nick is priceless - p348

"Mae met her eyes with a level gaze, glanced at Nick, then leaned forward, frowning and suddenly intent, as if Nick was a mathematical equation she was bent on solving.

'What?' Nick said at last. 'Do I have something on my face besides good-looking?'"

That is Mae and Nick in a nutshell, Mae - analytical, focused, absorbed and Nick - careless, blunt, confused, and of course good-looking!

The pictures that develop in my mind of Sin and Nick dancing at the market, or Mae and Alan on the magicians ship, are so clear, I actually found myself imagining it as a  movie and trying to decide who would be best for the characters.  So far I've got Dakota Fanning as Mae - can't you just see her with bright pink hair? - and Eddie Redmayne as Alan.  Not quite sure about the others yet, but I'm working on it!

This time around, Ms Brennan amped up the action even more and I just kept reading faster and faster.  You know when you start to feel your heart race that you have a winner.  Amazing character development, demon possessions, dancing circles, warring magicians, the Goblin Market and so much more, all adding up to an exciting thrill ride with some amazing twists and an extremely satisfying, if surprising, ending.  Things did not work out the way I expected them to and it was wonderful to read.

Thank you Ms Brennan for a very satisfying and enjoyable read.  Now what's next?

The Demon's Surrender by Sarah Rees Brennan

Published: June 2011

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Pages: 387

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

The Goblin Market has always been the center of Sin’s world. But now the Market is at war with the magicians, and Sin’s place is in danger. Thrown out of the Market she loves, Sin is thrown together with brothers Nick and Alan—whom she’s always despised. 

Alan has been marked by a magician and is being tortured so that the magicians can get to Nick. As Sin watches Alan struggle to protect the demon brother he loves, she begins to see him in a new light—but she and Mae are locked in a fierce rivalry over who will inherit the leadership of the Goblin Market, and a decisive battle with the Aventurine Circle is looming. Mae’s brother, Jamie, is holed up with the magicians, his loyalties in question. And Nick—well, who knows what a demon might do to save his brother? How far will Nick go to save Alan—and what will it cost them all?

Review:

I feel like I have so much to say about this title.  First of all, I LOVED The Demon's Lexicon trilogy and I don't feel that enough praise has been given to Sarah Rees Brennan for writing such a fantastic series.  If you love The Mortal Instruments and Red Glove series, you will enjoy this series as well.  Not to mention of course, Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan and Holly Black are pretty good friends and tend to like similar themes.  

The first title is The Demon's Lexicon and I do suggest you start off with this.  Don't just jump into book #2 or 3, you will be confused.  If you have already finished The Demon's Lexicon and The Demon's Covenant, then you will know that Alan, Nick's brother is on the cover of The Demon's Surrender.  Ironically, the narrator is Sin.  Each book is written from the perspective of one of the characters.  I find this technique worked well in the story, giving each character more identity and different points of view.  I didn't feel like there was one particular hero or villain.  Instead I began to understand how each character had his/her own insecurities and strengths both internally and those perceived by their peers.  

Ms. Brennan weaves an intricate tale of deceit in the Demon's Surrender.  Several times I was left thinking - WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!  She does an excellent job of keeping the reader entertained and gobsmacking us with scenarios you just didn't expect to happen.  Overall, I thought this was an excellent trilogy and more readers need to rave about it.  Great work Sarah!  

P.s.
I just wanted to say as well that Ms. Brennan goes on my Awesome Authors list as being personable, positive and interactive with her reading audience.  I love seeing authors who respond to both our compliments and our criticisms.  Other great responders have been Jonathan Maberry, Lauren Kate and Lauren Oliver!  

Same book, second look - The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan

Same book, Second look

The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan

What's this you ask?  The Same book, Second look is a chance for both of us to review the same book.  Both Curlypow and I are librarians but we have different opinions when it comes to certain titles.  To each, her own!  We want the ability to express our own opinions whether they are similar or differ.  Same book, Second look allows the second person to do an additional review of a book that has already been posted. 

It's my turn and I'm going to chat about Sarah Rees Brennan's - The Demon's Covenant

Published: May 2010

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 448 (hardcover)

Copy provided by : Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Mae Crawford's always thought of herself as in control, but in the last few weeks her life has changed. Her younger brother, Jamie, suddenly has magical powers, and she's even more unsettled when she realizes that Gerald, the new leader of the Obsidian Circle, is trying to persuade Jamie to join the magicians. Even worse? Jamie hasn't told Mae a thing about any of it. Mae turns to brothers Nick and Alan to help her rescue Jamie, but they are in danger from Gerald themselves because he wants to steal Nick's powers. Will Mae be able to find a way to save everyone she cares about from the power-hungry magician's carefully laid trap?

I have spent some time on Twitter and have been exploring all things booky on the web.  Lucky for me, I have had some interaction with Ms. Rees Brennan (and what a lovely lady she is)!  Earlier this week I happened upon a chat with several Kiss Me Deadly authors (hosted by Coldwater High ezine).  Some of the authors present were - Becca Fitzpatrick, Sarah Rees Brennan, Richelle Mead and Michelle Zink.  If you haven't tried one of these before, I highly recommend you check it out.  What a great way to reach your fanbase.  Very cool to chat live with your favorite authors!

I finished reading the much anticipated sequel to The Demon's Lexicon last week and again, Ms. Rees Brennan managed to blow me away.  Where the first book did a good job of introducing the characters, this book gave them more depth and understanding.  The relationships between Nick, Alan, Mae and Jamie seemed to solidify and the reader can identify better with them.  I know that Curlypow is on the fence with Nick but I like him.  (Sarcastic good looking bad boys....mmmmm.....)  One of the things that really made a difference for me in this book was Sarah's sense of humor and wit.  I LOVE the quips between characters.  Two of my favorites -

Page 61

"Because I am a sweet and caring individual who is truly concerned about your welfare"

- Nick speaking to Jamie

Page 82

"Can't spell 'demon' without 'emo'.

- Nick

I love the sarcastic bits!  What a hoot!  This book seems to center around Mae and how she sees the situation unfold.  Her character really blooms but  I had to ask myself - When did she become the kissing queen? I won't elaborate much further but she sure seemed to be liplocked a lot in this book...so many boys, so little time....

My favorite part of the entire series is the Goblin Market.  Want to hear a neat tidbit?  I was reading an interview from another blog with Sarah Rees Brennan and she said that the idea of the Goblin Market came from a poem by Christina Rosetti.  One of my favorite poets!  Cool!  I love how the market seems like a place to get away and where anything and everything is possible if you believe it to be.

Lastly, I would like to talk about the ending.  Right when you think you know what is going on, Ms. Rees Brennan twists it and turns it into something completely different!  Fantastic!  I love it when a book can take me on an adventure like this!

I don't recommend reading the Demon's Covenant before tackling the Demon's Lexicon first.  The story is a bit too complicated to jump right in but I definitely recommend this series.  It's a keeper!  Tweet tweet Sarah Rees Brennen, I'm lovin' your work!