Mundie Moms

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

City of Heavenly Fire Snippet: Jace & Clary *SPOILERS*


Cassie treated fans to an awesome CoHF TEASER today!!! 
*SPOILERS*

Idris had been green and gold and russet in the autumn, when Clary had first been there. It had a stark grandeur in the winter: the mountains rose in the distance, capped white with snow, and the trees along the side of the road that led back to Alicante from the lake were stripped bare, their leafless branches making lace-like patterns against the bright sky.
Sometimes Jace would slow the horse to point out the manor houses of the richer Shadowhunter families, hidden from the road when the trees were full but revealed now. She felt his shoulders tense as they passed one that nearly melded with the forest around it: it had clearly been burned and rebuilt. Some of the stones still bore the black marks of smoke and fire. “The Blackthorn manor,” he said. “Which means that around this bend in the road is …” He paused as Wayfarer summited a small hill, and reined him in so they could look down to where the road split in two. One direction led back toward Alicante — Clary could see the demon towers in the distance — while the other curled down toward a large building of mellow golden stone, surrounded by a low wall. “ … the Herondale manor,” Jace finished.
The wind picked up; icy, it ruffled Jace’s hair. Clary had her hood up, but he was bare-headed and bare-handed, having said he hated wearing gloves when horseback riding. He liked to feel the reins in his hands. “Did you want to go and look at it?” she asked.
His breath came out in a white cloud. “I’m not sure.”

Go here to find out more info about pre-ordering and 1st edition copies. 

Let The Storm Break by Shannon Messenger, Book Review



Published by: Simon Pulse
Released on: March 4th, 2014
Series: Sky Fall #2
Source: arc from publisher to review
Rating: 4 Stars - I Enjoyed It
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it Goodreads

Vane Weston is haunted. By the searing pull of his bond to Audra. By the lies he’s told to cover for her disappearance. By the treacherous winds that slip into his mind, trying to trap him in his worst nightmares. And as his enemies grow stronger, Vane doesn’t know how much longer he can last on his own.

But Audra’s still running. From her past. From the Gales. Even from Vane, who she doesn’t believe she deserves. And the farther she flees, the more danger she finds. She possesses the secret power her enemy craves, and protecting it might be more than she can handle—especially when she discovers Raiden’s newest weapon.

With the Gale Force weakened by recent attacks, and the power of four collapsing, Vane and Audra are forced to make a choice: keep trusting the failing winds, or turn to the people who’ve betrayed them before. But even if they survive the storms sent to destroy them, will they have anything left to hold on to?

This is a great sequel! I loved that Messenger hooked me with her story, more so than I was excepting to be. Normally when it comes to sequel, rarely do I find myself not rolling my eyes at something. Yes, I just admitted I roll my eyes at books, but only when I can totally point out what's going to happen next. This wasn't a sequel where I could point out what was going to happen next. That's not for a lack of not trying either. It was a harder to predict what was going happen. I liked that. With this storyline the risks are higher, there's more danger, and holy cliff hanger, just kill me now, that ending was awesome. Also, I learned a new word in this book....haboob! Go ahead and laugh, and then go google it. It's a real word.  

I love a good series, but there are times when I get so excited about reading a sequel that I worry if it will live up to the acceptations I've had for it. When I have to wait over a year to read the next book, it's easy to overly hype it up in my mind. Which I've done a time or two, or more. There have been times when I've read a sequel that the character journey that often times takes place in the second book, falls flat. When that happens I am left feeling that the characters in book two are not the characters I feel in love with in book one. Luckily that is not the case for this book. Shannon does a great job at continuing Audra and Vane's story. I liked seeing the journey they each took, both individually in part of the story, and together.

There were times I felt Audra was a little selfish in her journey, but it didn't take me long to realize there was a reason behind what she was doing. In her own quest, she learns more about herself, the dangers she and Vane are up against, and the importance of really protecting the things you love most. Not that she didn't get that before, but I think she realized the urgency of having to make choices, and sacrifices more so now then previously. Vane gets huge kudos from me for standing firm in his feelings for Audra, even when doubt creeps into his mind, and some of those around him tell him it's a mistake. Outside of their bond/relationship, both Vane and Audra are forced to group up more, and make some critical choices. This story was one that had both characters questioning and realizing their roles in all that's going on around them. Whether they want to have the roles they do or not, they are forced to step into them. 

I love the sweet, romantic relationship Vane and Audra have. It not only fits them, but it's fitting for this series. Often times I love a relationship that has more sizzling chemistry, and snark, but the relationship these two have is refreshing, and suits the two of them perfectly. If it had been written any other way, it wouldn't have matched who the characters are. With this sequel there's a new element to Vane and Audra's relationship. I don't even know how to describe it. There's no questions about the loyalty, devotion and love they have for each other. There's a lot more danger that threatens to not only break the two of them apart, but it threatens those they care about, and everything they've been entrusted to protect. When their love and the one thing they both fiercely protect is threatened, one of them makes an ultimate sacrifice to protect more than just their relationship..... 

Aw, yes, that lovely sacrifice leads right into the book's lovely cliff hanger. I knew something was going to happen, I just didn't except it to be that, though I should have. Messenger does a great job at dropping hints through out the story about that very thing that happens. No, I won't say what that thing is. Looking back over the story I had a feeling that something was going to happen, but I couldn't pin point what exactly that was. Now everything makes sense, because Messenger doesn't include things into her story unless there is a reason for them to be there. I like that about her style of writing. There's definitely more action in this book, more danger, and some great twists that leave me wishing book three was coming out sooner rather than having to wait another year to find out what happens. 

Be sure to stop by Shannon's website and check out her release day celebrations and enter her giveaways!

The Ring and the Crown by Melissa de la Cruz; Waiting on Wednesday #206


By: Melissa de la Cruz
Published by: Disney-Hyperion
To Be Released on: April 1st, 2014
Pre-Order From: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads

Princess Marie-Victoria, heir to the Lily Throne, and Aelwyn Myrddn, bastard daughter of the Mage of England, grew up together. But who will rule, and who will serve? 

Quiet and gentle, Marie has never lived up to the ambitions of her mother, Queen Eleanor the Second, Supreme Ruler of the Franco-British Empire. With the help of her Head Merlin, Emrys, Eleanor has maintained her stranglehold on the world's only source of magic. She rules the most powerful empire the world has ever seen. 

But even with the aid of Emrys' magic, Eleanor's extended lifespan is nearing its end. The princess must marry and produce an heir or the Empire will be vulnerable to its greatest enemy, Prussia. The two kingdoms must unite to end the war, and the only solution is a match between Marie and Prince Leopold VII, heir to the Prussian throne. But Marie has always loved Gill, her childhood friend and soldier of the Queen's Guard. 

Together, Marie and Aelwyn, a powerful magician in her own right, come up with a plan. Aelwyn will take on Marie's face, allowing the princess to escape with Gill and live the quiet life she's always wanted. And Aelwyn will get what she's always dreamed of--the chance to rule. But the court intrigue and hunger for power in Lenoran England run deeper than anyone could imagine. In the end, there is only rule that matters in Eleanor's court: trust no one.

I was sold at Melissa de la Cruz, but knowing that this is a historical romance, I am all over this book! I can not wait to get my hands on this one. What book are you waiting on? 

Fierce Reads May Tour Stops Revealed




Check it out! Fierce Reads fans, yesterday Fierce Reads announced the stops of their May #FierceReads tour. This Thursday they'll be announcing the stops to their June tour. I'm crossing my fingers that tour will be stopping in TX. I hear chances are that tour will be going to states not listed on this leg of the tour. Be sure to head over to their website on Thursday to find out who will be apart of that tour, and where they'll be headed to.

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