Mundie Moms

Friday, June 30, 2017

Shadowhunters TV Series, S2B, E14: THE FAIR FOLKS / Review #shadowhunters

From Freeform's website.
Fairies are tricky and unpredictable, we really looked forward to this episode because the Seelie Court has always been a fan favorite moment, at least in City of Ashes.

SOPHIE'S REVIEW

Okay, the episode starts off with Jace playing the piano and Sebbie-baby watching him menacingly.

Seb (slow clap, literally): I had no idea I was in the company of a virtuoso.
Jace (chuckles): Yeah, right.
Seb: No, seriously, it's extraordinary. I mean I wish I could play like that. Where did you learn? Who taught you?
Jace (far off dreamy look and his nose stuck in a book): Valentine, if you can believe that.
Seb: Huh. I guess even an evil mastermind can appreciate fine music.

Here we go, it's the start of another episode, MMs.  Hang on tight, I have a feeling this is going to be one bumpy ride because it starts off with Sebbie-baby summarizing Jace's feelings for Clary and reminding him of the romantic subplot in this season.

Image found on Freeform's website.
One of the bizzaro aspects to this bizarro series is how the writers/directors/producers continue to ignore Cassie's beautifully complex politics within the Shadowhunter universe. These politics are layered, complex and mirror, at times, our own world history. For a politics nerd like me, it's one of the sweetest benefits of reading this series -- to see how Cassie dovetails current and past politics. But in Bizzaro World, we just make this up as we go along, so we have weirdly awkward moments like Alec stating he will be hosting regular cabinet meetings or the one from last week's epi where Jace handed off the Institiute to Alec right after Gramquisitor handed it to Jace. In fact, there's a moment in this week's episode where an anonymous Shadowhunter says -- "just wait, in a week, it'll be someone else." See what I mean? There is ZERO respect to the source material. Like, zip, zero, nada.

image found on google.

Let's just keep swimming, shall we?

Honestly, I watched the rest of the episode without hitting the pause button to stop and write my thoughts. I just watched the entire trainwreck unfold. And I'm left thinking:

What do the show's faithful viewers see in it?

Is it the skeleton of the complexity of Cassie's story? is it a glimpse at the large cast of characters and their intertwined history? Is it the impossible romance of Clace and Malec that pulls them in? Is it truly Sebbie-baby? The villain who is so masked that you don't realize he's a mastermind behind it all?

What are they seeing that I'm not. 

Maybe, it's that Kill Tree (did anyone else spit-take when Jace explained a fairy tree that "almost tore Simon's pretty face off"?). Where else have we seen a whomper of a tree, oh wait...

image found on google.

I'd like to announce here that I'm done, but I just can't be. Not yet. I have loved these characters through thousands of pages. I have cried with them through impossible odds. I have cheered for them when all hope should've been lost. I hate what Freeform has done to them, but I keep watching and writing in hope that maybe, maybe they will listen and give back those characters, their plots, their quests, their impossible struggles back to me.

- - - 

MMs, it's awfully quiet uptown (sorry, I know, a Hamilton reference when you least expect it). Are you still watching this with us? What are your thoughts on this last episode?

Thursday, June 29, 2017

REIGN of the FALLEN by Sarah Glenn Marsh / Book Spotlight #ReignoftheFallen


Today's spotlight is for a book I had the chance of reading the manuscript for, and my word, I absolutely loved it! It's a book that I didn't even know about until the publisher reached out to me about it. Since I loved it, I wanted to spotlight it today on the blog so that other readers could add it to their TBR lists. 

Check out this cover! It was recently revealed and it is an AWESOME cover. It's so fitting for this story. I love it. 

Below is my quick review / blurb I shared on Goodreads. When it's closer to the release date, I'll be sharing my full review. Trust me if you love fantasy, you'll enjoy this one. If you don't, I still think you'll like it. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

By: Sarah Glenn Marsh
Published by: Razorbill
To Be Released on: January 23rd, 2018
Pre-Order from: Penguin Random House | Amazon 
Add it to Goodreads

An LGBT fantasy series that follows a talented necromancer who must face down a deadly nemesis who has learned how to turn her magic into a weapon.

Odessa is one of Karthia's master necromancers, catering to the kingdom's ruling Dead. Whenever a noble dies, it's Odessa's job to raise them by retrieving their souls from a dreamy and dangerous shadow world called the Deadlands. But there is a cost to being raised--the Dead must remain shrouded, or risk transforming into zombie-like monsters known as Shades. If even a hint of flesh is exposed, the grotesque transformation will begin.

A dramatic uptick in Shade attacks raises suspicions and fears among Odessa's necromancer community. Soon a crushing loss of one of their own reveals a disturbing conspiracy: someone is intentionally creating Shades by tearing shrouds from the Dead--and training them to attack. Odessa is faced with a terrifying question: What if her necromancer's magic is the weapon that brings Karthia to its knees?
A lavish fantasy with a surprising and breathtaking LGBT romance at its core, Reign of the Fallen is a gutsy, unpredictable read that will grab readers by the throat and never let go.... (Goodreads)

An unforgettable, fast paced fantasy. With rich world building, characters you can't help but fall in love with, and a protagonist who's epic journey I was completely immersed in. This mesmerizing read has it all! One of my favorite reads this year.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

THE CRUEL PRINCE by Holly Black / Waiting on Wednesday #TheCruelPrince @hollyblack


By: Holly Black
Published by: Little Brown
To Be Released on: January 2nd, 2018
Series: The Folk of the Air #1
Pre-Order from: Amazon 
Add it to Goodreads

Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.
And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.
Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.
To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.
In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.
Holly Black has a new book coming out! I'm beyond excited to hear Holly has a new book coming out this next year. I absolutely love this cover. It's part of a 3 book series. Yes, I am have already pre-ordered it. I can not wait for it to be out. I need it like right now. Who else is wishing this book was already in their hands? 

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

EW Reveals The 10th Anniversary City of Bones Cover @CassieClare #Shadowhunters #COB10


Check it out Shadowhunters! The cover for the 10th Anniversary of City of Bones was revealed today on EW. While you can read their article here (check out the Jace artwork they shared, below), check out what Cassie said below via Instagram:



From Entertainment Weekly: "Cassandra Clare’s City of Bones — the first installment in her riveting Mortal Instruments series — turns 10 this year.

To commemorate this milestone, City of Bones is getting a stunning new anniversary edition, packed with brand new content. EW can reveal both the 10th anniversary cover (a cloth-over-board jacket with text and art stamped in foil) as well as one of the six full-color character portraits that will appear in the new book. The book also features chapter header illustrations, black-and-white illustrations scattered throughout the book, and The Clave’s Confidential Files on our favorite characters, written by Clare herself. 


Per Cassie: (top sekrit info on the characters, including birthdays, scars and major weaknesses  Check out the cover and the back, printed with the iconic ALL THE STORIES ARE TRUE. The 10th anniversary edition of City of Bones will be out Nov. 7, 2017, but is available for pre-order now." Entertainment Weekly's story is up along with a portrait of Jace.



I LOVE this cover, and the quote that's on the back of it. I can not wait for this book to be out! I've had my copy pre-ordered for awhile now. This book will be out on November 7th, 2017. Do you have your copy pre-ordered? If not, be sure to pre-order it from your favorite book retailer. 

Top Ten Best Books I've Read So Far in 2017


Hello and welcome to this week's Top Ten Tuesday! This week's post is Best Books We've Read So Far In 2017My previous Top Ten Tuesday post was, Best & Worst Days in Literature.

There have been a lot of awesome releases this year. Here are a few of my favorite reads so far in 2017:



  1. The Valiant by Lesley Livingston
  2. Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
  3. Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare
  4. BlackSouls by Nicole Castroman 
  5. The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine
  6. Traitor to the Throne by Alywn Hamilton 
  7. Cage of Darkness by Jennifer Anne Davis
  8. Alex & Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz
  9. Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi
  10. Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor 
  11. Frost Blood by Elly Blake
There have been a number of awesome releases this year. I'm already dreading putting together my top 10 posts for the end of the year. I don't know how I'm going to choose between so many awesome reads. 

After I made this list, I considered making a list of 10 books I've read / still need to read from 2017, because that list would be just as long if not longer, than this. This year is going by a little too fast. Between substitute teaching almost full time this school year, and then moving, my reading / writing review time, was next to nothing. This summer I'm hoping to catch up.

What are some of your favorite reads from 2017? 

MIDNIGHT JEWEL by Richelle Mead / Blog Tour: Favorite Quotes, Book Review & Enter To WIN! #MidnightJewel


Hello and welcome to the next stop in the MIDNIGHT JEWEL blog tour, hosted by Penguin/Razorbill. I'm so thrilled to celebrate today's newest release in the Glittering Court series. Today's stop includes a few of my favorite quotes from the book (spoiler free), as well my review. Be sure to check out the giveaway at the end of this post. 

ABOUT THE BOOK


By: Richelle Mead
Published by: Razorbill
Released on: June 27th, 2017 - TODAY!
Series: Glittering Court #2
Purchase from: The PublisherAmazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Source: arc from publisher to review, PHR partner

A refugee of war, Mira was cast out of her home country and thrust into another, where the conditions were inhospitable at best. In a life-altering twist of fate, she is given the chance to escape once more, and she takes it, joining the Glittering Court.

Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies who appear destined for powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. There, Mira finds herself subjected to persecution, not only from her fellow Glittering Court jewels, but from her suitors, as well—men she would potentially be expected to give her life to.

By day, she goes through the motions, learning the etiquette and customs that will help to earn her anonymity, even making a couple true friends in the process, the forthright ladies’ maid Adelaide and the ambitious laundress Tamsin. But by night, Mira hatches a different plan entirely—one that, if exposed, could get her hanged in the highest court of Adoria.

MY REVIEW

A different point of view to the Glittering Court, this second book in the series has it all. Loyalty, danger, espionage, a strong character who's not afraid to make her stance, and plenty of twists and turns along the way. Fans of the Glittering Court are going to enjoy reading this story from Mira's point of view. There's a lot more to Mira's story than glitz and glam. 

Mira is an admirable character whom I really enjoyed getting to know. She's loyal, fierce, bold, courageous, and isn't afraid to make her mark in a dangerous world, to save those she loves. Even if she at times she recklessly puts her self in situations without little worry of her own life. I admired her unwavering stance on her beliefs, and what she thought was right and wrong. It's what drives her to do what she does. I respected the fact she was really compassionate to those who were poor or needed help, hence her vigilante side. Though at times this caused her to be reckless when she didn't need to be.

What I liked most about Mira's story, and her side of the Glittering Court story, is the vigilante and espionage elements. With it came the twists, turns and plenty of action, and danger. It also added a new element to the setting, and allows readers to really see a the darker side to Adoria. Mira's story definitely proves there's much more than meets the eye to the Glittering Story storyline. Things that didn't quite add up in the first story, make perfect sense now. 

While I liked Mira's story more, I had a hard time with the romance in this story. It's not that I didn't like Grant. He's just as deep into the espionage part of the story, as Mira is, if not more. He is an brooding character with a dark past, and lacks the emotion needed to make this relationship more believable. I understood why he didn't do attachments, and at first, his harsh ways, and his tone. After awhile, I just didn't get them, and why they were together. It was constant bantering, and not in the good kind of way. By the end of the book I started to see a change in the two of them, but by then it was almost too late for it. 

Over all, Midnight Jewel was a good read, and great addition to the Glittering Court series. I really enjoyed getting to know Mira. She's a character I respected, and admired for all she stands for, and what she was trying to do. I'm looking forward to Tamsin's story next. 

FAVORITE QUOTES 

"Not without options. If I don't see any, than I make my own. And no one forces me into anything."

"... You strike me as a woman who's going to want to go a lot of place that other people you can't."

"Information is real power."

"It hit me in a way I didn't except, and for a few heartbeats, my world centered on him rather than what I was doing with him."

"Wandering around without attachment doesn't free you, it traps you. You need to find your own wayfarer's star and fix your life on something, something with meaning."

"I wanted something simple, and instead I got you."

"I just want you, despite how impossible and complicated you are. Maybe because of it."

"I can't wander far... not when... my Saasa is here....
ABOUT THE AUTHOR



RICHELLE MEAD is the #1 New York TimesUSA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Vampire Academy series and its spin-off series, Bloodlines. Originally from Michigan, she now lives in Seattle, Washington.

FOLLOW THE TOUR

June 26 – Tales of the Ravenous Reader – Top 5 Reasons to Read Glittering Court Before Midnight Jewel
June 27 – Mundie Moms – Favorite Quotes from Midnight Jewel
June 28 – Love Is Not A Triangle – Review
June 29 – A Perfection Called Books – Midnight Jewel Mood Board & Review
June 30 – BookCrushin – Top Leading Ladies Who Escaped Their Fates

July 3 – ButterMyBooks – Midnight Jewel Inspired Drink
July 4 – Books, TV, & More… Oh My! – Female Royalty By Birthstone
July 5 – A Page With A View – Midnight Jewel Photos & Review
July 6 – Once Upon A Twilight – Top 5 Reasons to Read Midnight Jewel
July 7 – YA Wednesdays – Couture Cloak & Dagger

July 10 – The Fandom
July 11 – Ex Libris – Review
July 12 – Novel Knight Reviews – A Book in Quotes
July 13 – The Eater Of Books! – Midnight Jewel Swoon Thursday
July 14 – Fiction Fare – Review


ENTER TO WIN

Enter for a chance to win one (1) of five (5) copies of Midnight Jewel by Richelle Mead (ARV: $19.99 each).

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. 

Enter between 12:00 AM Eastern Time on June 26th, 2017 and 12:00 AM on July 17, 2017.  Open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older. Winners will be selected at random on or about July 21, 2017. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

OUT TODAY! New YA Releases for 6/27/17

Happy Book Birthday to today's new YA releases! 


Today is an awesome release day for YA books. A few of these books have been on my most anticipated reads list. Check out today's list of new YA releases, out now: 

Which new releases will you be picking up today? 

Monday, June 26, 2017

It's the 20th Anniversary of Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling #harrypotter20


Today marks the 20th Anniversary of J.K. Rowling's release of Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone. We're feeling really sentimental about this. What an amazing 20 years it's been! Twenty years after it made it's first debut, this book is still touching lives through out the world. It's so cool to think that those who grew up reading these books, now read them with their kids. Honestly, we still love re-reading these books too. 

The thing I love about today's anniversary, is that twenty years ago today, J.K. Rowling introduced us to a character who reminded us that all we needed was courage, love and friendship, and we could do anything. She minded us that magic still exists. That standing for what you believe in, and being who you are, makes you truly powerful. She has given us characters that we can all see ourselves in. Through Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling has reminded us all that sometimes the stories we escape into, end up staying with us long after we've finished reading it. J.K. has also, through her characters, and this book series, inspired new readers and new writers to reach for their dreams, regardless of what their circumstances are. 

Thank you J.K. for sharing your magic of story telling with us. For taking us to Hogwarts and introducing us to unforgettable characters who live on long after their books are returned to our bookshelves. 

THE LOVE INTEREST by Cale Dietrich / Book Review



By: Cale Dietrich 
Published by: Feiwel & Friends
Released on: May 16th, 2017
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
Source: arc from publisher to review in exchange for my honest review

There is a secret organization that cultivates teenage spies. The agents are called Love Interests because getting close to people destined for great power means getting valuable secrets.

Caden is a Nice: the boy next door, sculpted to physical perfection. Dylan is a Bad: the brooding, dark-souled guy who is dangerously handsome. The girl they are competing for is important to the organization, and each boy will pursue her. Will she choose the Nice or the Bad?

Both Caden and Dylan are living in the outside world for the first time. They are well-trained and at the top of their games. They have to be—whoever the girl doesn’t choose will die.

What the boys don’t expect are feelings that are outside of their training. Feelings that could kill them both.


A fast paced, quick read, with a predictable twist. The Love Interest is one of those reads that you can easily sit down and read in an afternoon. It's one that's not weighed down with in-depth plot twists or characters, though it felt like this was what Dietrich was trying to go for, but didn't quite achieve. Maybe that's where this book failed to do it for me at. 

First off, there is nothing wrong with a quick, fun read. Which this book was. Sometimes I like not having attachments when I read a book. I just want to sit and read without over analyzing and overthinking everything that's going on. This book was just that. A fun read. 

I liked the moments of humor, and the fact this book could poked fun at YA tropes we too often see in books. However, through out the book there are times when it felt this book was trying to be more than that, which simply didn't work. I don't fault the author for that, because that's something editing should have caught. There's so much mixed into this story, that it should have done away with trying to be more serious, when it wasn't, because it reflects on the author's writing. 

Character wise, I'm a little torn. I liked that they weren't in-depth, but at the same time, had they been I may have felt like I understood them more. There were a number of things that happened between the characters that I either didn't like, or that weren't explored enough, or were completely unrealistic. One of the things I did like, was this book doesn't make the gay character a BFF, but a main character in the story. Not that the BFFs are bad, but they're so over done. 

Sadly I feel this book is another victim to overhype, not enough editing, and a rush to get this book into the hands of readers, vs the publishing house taking it's time to polish this book up to make it live up to the hype it received. I believe it could have been on that level. If this book is ever made into a series, I feel the second book would outshine the first one. It's not to say this book is bad, because it's not. If you just read this book a quick read, and don't over think it, you'll most likely enjoy it more, than if you look for this book to live up to all the hype it received.

Sunday, June 25, 2017

. @CassieClare Shares A Snippet from Queen of Air and Darkness #Shadowhunters #QueenOfAirAndDarkness


Cassie is full of surprises this weekend. She has shared another snippet, and this time it's from Queen of Air and Darkness. Check it out below: 
Queen of Air and Darkness snippet
“I can’t do this.” Helen tried to keep her voice steady, but it was nearly impossible. She hoped the strain would be covered by the sound of the waves crashing below them, but Aline knew her too well. She could sense when Helen was upset, even when she was trying hard not to show it.
“Baby.” Aline moved closer, wrapping her arms around Helen, brushing her lips softly with her own. “You can. You can do anything.”
Helen relaxed into her wife’s arms. When she’d first met Aline she’d thought the other girl was taller than she was, but she’d realized later it was the way Aline held herself, arrow-straight. The Consul, her mother, held herself the same way, and with the same pride — not that either of them was arrogant, but the word seemed a shade closer to what Helen imagined than simple confidence. She remembered the first love note Aline had ever written her. The curves of your lips rewrite history. The world is changed because you are made of ivory and gold. Later, she’d found out it was an Oscar Wilde quote, and had said to Aline, smiling, You’ve got a lot of nerve.
Aline had looked back at her steadily. “I know. I do.”
They both had, always, and it had stood them in good stead. But this —
“This is different,” Helen said. “They don’t want me here –“
“They do want you here.”
“They barely know me,” Helen said. “That’s worse.”

That's it?!? I need more of this scene. Maybe I feel this way, because I'm impatiently awaiting this books release. 

10th Anniversary of City of Bones: @CassieClare Shares A Chapter Header Sneak Peak #CityofBones #Shadowhunters

Who's ready for the 10th Anniversary of City of Bones to be out? We are! Cassie gave fans a sneak peak into the illustrations in the book. Check it out below:


We love it! Here's what she said about it, you can also read from her original her post:

A chapter header illustration by @tanaudel for the City of Bones 10th Anniversary Edition! There’s going to be a ton of gorgeous art and I’ll keep sharing it here until the release date on Nov 7. Look at the adorable wolfie!

We've already got on our copies pre-ordered! We're looking forward to seeing more details like the picture above, through out the book. 

Friday, June 23, 2017

New LORD OF SHADOWS, SDCC Poster! #LordofShadows #Shadowhunters #SDCC


Shadowhunter fans attending SDCC (Comic Con in San Diego) will be in a for a treat! They'll be able to pick up an exclusive, Lord of Shadows poster from the Simon & Schuster booth. Made for SDCC, Cassie shared a teaser from the poster with fans this week on Tumblr, here. Check out what she said below:

Emma and Julian hold off the Faerie Riders. Detail (small section) from Alice Duke’s exclusive Lord of Shadows San Diego Comicon poster! SDCC attendees can pick it up at the Simon and Schuster booth – more details to come soon!

While I won't be at ComicCon this year, I can't wait to see the poster in it's entirety. 

See @CassieClare in London & Edinburgh this August! #Shadowhunters


Exciting news for UK Shadowhunter fans! Cassie is headed to both London and Edinburgh later this summer. She'll be in London on 8/17, and then she'll attend the Edinburgh book festival with Holly Black, on 8/19. Details for both events below. I wish I was able to go overseas to both these events. I can't wait to see all the pictures from fans!

LONDON EVENT ** The London event is sold out**

Per Cassie's Tumblr page:
London signing! Thursday, August 17
An Evening of Magic, Morality, Mythology, and More with Cassandra Clare and Holly Black
Thursday 17th August at 7pm (doors 6:30pm)
Venue: St James’s Church 197 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LL
Join #1 New York Times-bestselling authors Cassandra Clare and Holly Black in this exclusive London event as they discuss their latest fantastical adventures.
Cassie and Holly will be interviewed on stage talking about their jointly written Magisterium series, Cassie’s latest Shadowhunters novel, Lord of Shadows, and Holly’s new book, The Cruel Prince, coming out in 2018.
After the talk you will have the opportunity to meet Cassie and Holly to get your books signed* and to receive special fan gifts.
Tickets: £8 general admission (unreserved seating): 
Please note: If you purchase a ticket to the event and also pre-order a copy of Holly’s new book The Cruel Prince (published January 2018) from Waterstones.com and show confirmation of your pre-order at the event you will be presented with an exclusive money-can’t-buy Cruel Prince goodie bag and a personalised signed bookplate.
If you bring a copy of Lord of Shadows to the event, or buy one there, you will also receive a limited edition Shadowhunters postcard pack and a poster. 
*Note: Cassandra Clare will sign and personalise one new book per person and any other books will be stamped with a specially designed stamp.

EDINBURGH EVENT

Pic source: TMI Scotland

Get more information and to purchase tickets for this event, please go here.

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