City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Book: City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1)
Author: Cassandra Clare
# of Pages: 485 (Paperback)
Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads Summary
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

My Thoughts:
I was apprehensive about reading City of Bones because of all the mixed reviews. But, I decided to give it a try not expecting that I would be hooked only after reading a few pages. The world that Clare has created is reminiscent of that of Harry Potter's with its magical intrigue and mystique as well as the many mythical creatures.

Clary thinks she is a normal fifteen-year-old until she meets Jace and is drawn into the Shadow World. She begins to unearth the truth of her identity and finds herself in the middle of a love triangle with her best friend Simon and the swoonworthy Jace.

City of Bones was funny and full of action. And the ending was soo unexpected. I am angry with myself for not reading this sooner. But now that I have, I am very eager to read the rest of the series.

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Book: The Iron Daughter (Iron Fey #2)

Author: Julie Kagawa

# of Pages: 359 (Paperback)

Challenge: 2012 TBR Pile Challenge

Rating: 2.5 stars

Goodreads Summary

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

My Thoughts: Meghan is in the Winter Court when the Scepter of the Seasons is stolen. The Winter fey believe the Summer fey are behind it an prepare for war. But Meghan knows the truth, and she is determined to help retrieve the scepter before things turn ugly.

I like the world of the Nevernever and find the creatures that dwell there fascinating. I'm also a big fan of Puck and his sense of humor.

The thing that I disliked most about this book was Meghan. She was stubborn and whiny. She would not listen to what anyone had to say, and she was constantly obsessing over Ash. For the most part, she does not pay much attention to Puck, but depends on him to get her out of trouble. She does not even try to get herself out of unpleasant situations.

The book dragged. I actually stopped reading it at one point not intending to finish it. I did finish it, but I had to push myself in order to do so.

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Book: The Iron King
Author: Julie Kagawa
# of Pages: 363 (Paperback)
Rating: 4 stars

This is the first book I have read that deals with faeries. I did not know what to expect, but I was very intrigued with the story.

Meghan's little brother, Ethan, is kidnapped. She and her best friend Robbie/Puck must go into the Nevernever to save him. The Nevernever is a magical, faery-inhabited world. I've heard many people compare it to the world in Alice in Wonderland. Though I would like to concoct my own original comparison, I cannot think of one at the moment and so must agree that it is like Wonderland. Interesting creatures roam the land, there is a Summer Court and a Winter Court, and technology is slowly taking over the realm.

I love Puck. He is a great friend to Meghan, a prankster, and is quite funny. Ash is a prince of the Winter Court. He's dark, serious, and has a strong hatred for Puck. Meghan enlists Ash to help them find Ethan, to Puck's great fury. Together they battle their way through the Nevernever as well as the human world encountering obstacles and enemies alike.

One small thing that irked me about Meghan was that she did not seem to learn from her mistakes. When she is told to hide, she just stands where she is until it is too late. This aside, Meghan is brave, determined, and a little stubborn, and it is these things that helps her reach her goal.

This was a great, enjoyable read and I can't wait to read the rest of the series!