City Of Heavenly Fire

          ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5/5 Stars

"Freely we serve 

Because we freely love, as in our will

To love or not; in this we stand or fall."

PERFECT!!! 

Everything I wanted and more. 

"The world isn’t divided into the special and the ordinary. Everyone has the potential to be extraordinary. As long as you have a soul and free will, you can be anything, do anything, choose anything."

There have been some memorable quotes throughout the book, but these are the ones I've narrowed it down to. I realise there are a lot, I still have more I'm not using, but I just had to use these in particular. Also some of the quotes won't belong where I've put them, as they aren't spoken by that person, but they work anyway. So don't be dismayed. 

So it's been a long time coming this one. So long in fact that when reading it, I couldn't remember half of what was going on. I kept putting it off because have you seen the size of this thing?!? Just lifting it up was struggle enough. 

Now I had expectations for the final instalment. Things that had be told, or I'd have been disappointed. I'm not. In fact the opposite. I was finally given what I wanted! 

I've split the characters into sections, just to make it easier to write. 

Jocelyn & Luke:

"Sometimes you must lose everything to gain it again."

It's about time. Mind you leaving it until the very end was pure genius. Leave it on a high and all that. Beautiful. 

I'm assuming you all know what I'm talking about, so I shall say no more. Don't want to spoil it for those who aren't in the know. 

Magnus & Alec:

"You couldn't make someone love you with a rune, and you couldn't assuage grief with it either. So much magic, and nothing to mend a broken heart."

Now I'm not for or against gays, but these two are just too cute. They go back and forth, changing their minds one minute, the next they're making out. It's heartbreaking. Can't they just work things out and be done with it? Answer is Yes. Yes they can. But it gets rocky at the end. I'd get some tissues ready. 

"There are memories that time does not erase... Forever does not make loss forgettable, only bearable."

Isabelle & Simon:

"There are things our souls want, and mine wants you."

Most unlikely couple I think you'd agree. It's a love hate relationship with these two. You don't know where either of them stand with one another. It's brought up so many times that they need to have the DTR (define their relationship) talk. 

Eventually they do. It's all good.....mostly. 

"You weaseled your way into my life, Simon Lewis, and I don’t know how or why or even when but it happened, and I kind of hate it but I can’t change it."

Sebastian/Jonathan:

"His eyes shone when he looked at her, green as spring grass."

Lets face it, he was evil from the beginning. With no sign of changing his ways, it was expected from him. I'm mean sure, I'd hoped he would see the error of his ways and ask for forgiveness, but then he wouldn't be the perfect villain. So his ending was, I think, just right. 

"I've never felt so... light."

Jace & Clary: 

 "There are a hundred trillion cells in the human body. And every single one of the cells of my body loves you. We shed cells, and grow new ones, and my new cells love you more than the old ones, which is why I love you more every day than I did the day before. It's science."

Are they brother and sister? Aren't they? Back and forth. It's dizzying. I'm glad we don't have to go through all that malarkey again. Let's get to the good stuff! 

Flirting wasn't enough. Making Out wasn't enough. Sex was finally on the table. And about time too. Nothing was getting in the way this time. Favourite couple for sure. 

"I loved you recklessly from the moment I knew you. I never cared about the consequences. I told myself I did, I told myself you wanted me to, and so I tried, but I never did. I wanted you more than I wanted to be good. I wanted you more than I wanted anything, ever."

I hate when a series comes to end. Everything must come to an end at some point. This was the perfect ending! I actually cried happy tears. 

"We are all the pieces of what we remember. We hold in ourselves the hopes and fears of those who love us. As long as there is love and memory, there is no true loss."

Here are some more quotes that I thought were worth mentioning. 

"I think sometimes we are reckless with our hearts the way we are with our lives. When we give them away, we give every piece. And if we do not get what we so desperately need, how do we live?"

"There will always be those who want to tell you who you are based on your name or the blood in your veins. Do not let other people decide who you are. Decide for yourself."

"Heroes aren’t always the ones who win, they’re the ones who lose, sometimes. But they keep fighting, they keep coming back. They don’t give up. That’s what makes them heroes."

Review by Katie Ellis 

City of Lost Souls

           ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5/5 Stars

Love this!!!

Jace and Clary were meant to be together from day one. Or were they...

Let's rewind to an earlier book in the series. So it seemed that for a while, Jace and Clary were brother and sister. Yet they still continued to secretly date on and off. And for some reason it didn't feel wrong, at all. Ok so a part of me knew they weren't really siblings but there was a fair chance that they were. But they're not so it doesn't matter anymore. 

But Clary and Sabastian/Jonahan are brother and sister. So would it still be wrong for them to be together or not? Because it seemed to me that Sebastian has a little crush on Clary. I was slowly warming up to the possibility of the two being together. Sebastian can be very sweet when he wants to be. And I fell for it sadly. But it never came to that, which was probably for the best. 

So it leaves me stumped. What's next for everyone? Jace and Clary making out isn't enough for me anymore. I want a full on romance. 

And what's with Isabelle and Simon? Come on guys, you know you like eachother, so just go for it!

Are Jocelyn and Luke ever going to get married? 

These are some of the things if like to see in the last book. 

Review by Katie Ellis 

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)

             ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5 Stars

It's so nice when a book is set in your own country. Most books are set in America, and though the main character is American, the story itself is set in England. 

A spin off from The Mortal Instruments, set in Victorian times. A refreshing change from modern day life. 

Review by Katie Ellis

City of Fallen Angels

                ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5 Stars

Just when you think things will get better, they get worse. After the very dramatic, and I'll admit extreemly upsetting, death of Valentine, I wasn't sure where things were heading next. 

I wasn't convinced Savastian/Jonathan was dead. I knew there would be a twist in there somewhere. I was right. 

Things were shaky to begin with for Jace and Clary. But it just seemed to get worse for them both throughout the book. Could they not just be happy for once, that's all I want. But what's a story without a little heartbrake. 

I'm liking the new Simon a lot. I wasn't sure about him and Maia but Isobelle and him were just meant to be. I can't wait to see where their relationship will head. 

As for Jocelyn and Luke, well I can't say I was surprised. Although I was hoping hey would be married by the end but oh well. 

There's even more powerful demon on the loose that no one even knew existed. One that cannot be easily defeated. 

Review by Katie Ellis

City Of Glass

              ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Stars

Ok now things are making much more sense. So in my Coty Of Ashes review I wrote the following: 

"What I did notice was that they made out like Jace had known who his real Father was for years and that he had lived with Valentine at some stage in his life. I may be wrong but that's what it sounded like." 

This was finally explained. Jace was brought up by Valentine in Idris, but he is not his son. It's fairly easy to understand once all the facts are out there. 

I love that all the relationships in this series are stregnthened in this book. There's: 

Jace & Clary 

Alec & Magnus

Isabelle & Simon 

Simon & Maia

Clary & Simon

Amatis & Luke

Luke & Jocelyn

It's so nice when things work out. Well not everything did. I was dreading the ending to be honest. I knew a certain character was going to die, and I couldn't except it. But another dies before that, which I wasn't expecting. It completely threw me off and tore me apart. Preparing me for what was to come I guess. 

It still had a happy ending which is what counts most to me. 

Review by Katie Ellis 

City of Ashes

               ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5 Stars

I thought at first I was reading the wrong book. Liked I'd skipped the 2nd and gone straight to the third. After a few pages I realised it was the right one, so don't be fazed if that happens to you. 

Not sure how to do this so I'll go with the easy option and write it in list form. 

*SPOILER ALLERT*

*Clary and Simon kiss

*Jace gets locked up in some creepy cell underground

*The Silent Brothers are all killed

*Valentine is the culprit behind the attack

*Clary comes to the rescue

*Jace goes to see his Father

*Simon is turned into a vampire

*Jace is held prisoner again by the Inquisitor 

*Jace escapes 

*Valentine unleashes monsters from hell

*Simon nearly does along with a Werewolf girl named Maia 

*Infact a lot of people nearly die

*The Inquisitor deffinately does die

*The ship they are all on falls apart

*Valentine escapes 

*Clary and Simon decide to just stay friends 

*Clary and Jace decide to just stay Brother and Sister 

There's probably loads more things I've missed out but that's pretty much the gist of what happens. 

What I did notice was that they made out like Jace had known who his real Father was for years and that he had lived with Valentine at some stage in his life. I may be wrong but that's what it sounded like. 

I quite like this series. They're something different. Would recomend reading them. 

Review by Katie Ellis 

Mockingjay

'I'm moving in towards the camera now, carried forward by my rage. "President Snow says he's sending us a message? Well, I have one for him. You can torture us and bomb us and burn our districts to the ground, but do you see that?.....Fire is catching!.....and if we burn, you burn with us!"' 

It took me some time to actually get around to finishing this book. I started university, just after reading Catching Fire, most of my time was spent on my course and passion for photography. So I left it half read, until the holidays when I knew I would have plenty of time to immerse myself once more in the world which Collins had created.

I wasn't expecting much out of the ordinary at first, but from chapter 7 onwards I found myself drawn into the story so much so at times I felt I was actually there battling and fighting on, alongside Katniss and the Star Squad. 

From then on it's pretty much action, action, action. I liked that, at every turn there was something Katniss had to deal with, whether it be collecting allies and making propos or fulfilling her role as the Mockingjay. Then there was her constant vigil over the ones she loved her private mission to assassinate President Snow. 

Once the war started to kick in and take effect on the Districts, the story line turned bloody as expected. The killing increased with many characters meeting their end in the space of just a few chapters. After a while the killings do take a toll on you and with every chapter, every hurdle, every trial you're constantly awaiting the next victim. 

I think Collins really wanted to dig deep into our emotions, she certainly kept digging into mine. It was hard at times to see any possible positive outcome to this book, this trilogy, after everything.

I personally didn't enjoy this book.....I loved it. Most of my friends and other readers seemed to have found it disturbing and difficult, as their beloved characters are thrown into the worst of their horrors. I think to myself how could I love such a book that is so gloomy, doleful and at times grotesque. But I did, every bit of it, there were times where I wished a character I loved didn't have to die, but they did and it was for a good cause.

Would highly recommend 'The Hunger Games Trilogy' to anyone who is wanting to learn how life could be like and how lucky we are to have what we have. 

We are even so lucky, to play such childish games that end up in fights, moaning and squabbles. After all there are much worse games to play!

Review by Katie Johnson (Given 5/5 stars on Goodreads) 

It's taken me a long time to process my thoughts but I'm finally ready to write this review. So here it goes. 

I was in total shock. The amount of violence was too much to handle. It's just so gruesome, I wanted to throw up. Don't get me wrong the book is brilliant! But I just couldn't handle the gory bits. 

I cried a lot during the process of reading it. It was pretty much non stop. I felt like I couldn't be happy at all, I was so consumed with pain and heartache. It's like I was there, it was my story they were telling. 

Whenever someone died I would break down and ask why. Why would they do that? Why did they have to kill him/her off? I've come to the conclusion that their deaths were necessary. 

I kinda did and didn't like the ending. I'll go with like first: I liked it because Katniss and Peeta finally settle down and have a family. They live out the rest of their life's in peace. 

Didn't like: Katniss didn't end up marrying Gale. 

Which sucks. :( 

Review by Katie Ellis (given 4/5 stars on Goodreads) 

The Age Of Miracles

                     ⭐️1/5 Stars

I've given up reading this book. It's so bland and quite boring. For the first how many chapters all that's happening is them sitting watching the news. The constant topic is that the world is slowing, the days are growing longer. That's all good and well for maybe two chapters, but it just keeps going. I mean give it a rest already. We know.  

What really did my head in was Julia's Mum. Will you stop moaning and do something better with your time. I just couldn't stand it and longer. I couldn't connect to Julia herself, her character is far too young for me to relate to.

Some of you are probably thinking there's nothing wrong with it. That it's a great read. And that's great! 

I realise that this was the first book that Karen Thompson Walker had written so I'll say this: Good attempt, but it just didn't cut it for me. 

Review by Katie Ellis

City Of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1)

              ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5 Stars

So first of all I'll start by saying that I didn't think I'd like this series. It sounded too deep and creepy for me. May I point out that I hate anything horror, so yeah I wasn't expecting to like it. Turns out...... I LOVE IT!!!

I bet your all wandering how I came across this book then. Well I heard they were making a movie of it and that Jonathan Rhys Meyers (fav actor) was to play Valentine. Of course I had to read the book after finding this out. And I'm so glad I did. 

I instantly connected to Clary. Even though she is much younger than me, I could still relate to her. See she is 15 and I'm almost 21. Not too big an age gap but it does help that I'm pretty much stuck in a 15 year olds body. It sucks but it has it's advantages. 

I'm not going to repeat the whole story for you, that's what the description is there for. But I will give you my opinion on certain things. Like how I thought Jace sounded so dark and mysterious at first, but then turned out to be a big softy. Which I like by the way. Or how I knew that Raven (Hugo) was evil all along. Who has a pet Raven I ask?? 

I loved how Clary was finally finding herself throughout the whole book. I'd hate to have my memory erased. Loved the fact that Valentine is her Father. First word that popped into my head after reading it was HOT! I know thats wrong on so many levels.

I want to say that I felt sorry for Simon, but I can't. Look, if you like a girl, TELL HER. Don't wait 10 years to say something and after she's already found someone else.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it has it's flaws, every book does. But I loved it anyway.

Review by Katie Ellis 

Bitter Blood (The Morganville Vampires #13)

           ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars

Well that was a nice change. It still had all the same qualities as the others but this was slightly different. A more laid back approach. Well sort of. 

In the last book Michael and Eve decided to get married. So it's only to be expected that there would be some backlash from it in this one. They are continually badgered by the town. Death threats, assault, attempted murder. You name it, they've been been through it all. 

Naomi is back. I say back, she never left. It was suggested she were killed in Black Dawn. Apparently not. You know what that means... she's planning to take over the town, again. And that's never a good thing. 

Everyone is on edge. Including the new comers. Meet the Ghost Hunters! They present a show called After Death on TV. Morganville are next on their list of spooky towns. 

With all the new laws put in place, it's a miracle there is anyone still left alive in Morganville. 

The only problem I had was how long the chapters were. I'm dying for the next book. 

Review by Katie Ellis

Revived

              ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5 Stars

Beautiful book.

Beautifully written. 

Daisy is just the sweetest. Her whole life is a secret and she just got on with it, with few complaints. When she has to move again after dying from a bee sting, she finds life in Omaha isn't so bad after all. 

At school she meets Audrey McKean, her locker buddy. They instantly connect. Before you know it they're Best Friends. Daisy, without realising, starts falling for a guy she met in her English class. Turns out he's Audrey's older brother, Matt. 

I tend to fall for every guy I read about. Matt sounded dreamy, sweet, caring and loyal. All the qualities you've ever wanted in a boyfriend. 

Revived had me hook, line and sinker. I only wish there were a second book to carry on this remarkable story. 

Review by Katie Ellis

Catching Fire

          

'I'm about to shut off the television, but then Caesar is telling us to stay tuned for the other big event of the evening. "That's right, this year will be the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Hunger Games, and that means it's time for our third Quarter Quell!"' 

It has taken me a while to actually come to terms with what exactly I wanted to say about this particular book. I felt that if I rushed straight into this review, having just finished the book, that it would have clouded my judgement a little. 

I was so eager, at the time, to just blurt everything out about how good this book was. However, I refused to do so. I guess you could say that I gave my brain a little freedom to just wrap itself around everything.

With 'The Hunger Games', Collins just won me over with every emotion! The creativity of such an intense story line couldn't possibly be over thrown by it's follow-up or could it? 

Normally at this stage I would say something like "but Catching Fire did just that", but not this time. I feel that Collins mapped out the book in a very similar way with the first installment and didn't give herself any real chance of originality. 

After finishing the Hunger Games, you enter the world of Catching Fire. Feeling a sense of hope for the Victors, maybe now they'll get the chance to live a long and happy life or even the possibility of a better future for District 12. But then to find that pulling a stunt, such as forcing the (74th annual Hunger Games) game makers to have two victors crowned winners, was never going to end well. 

At the beginning of the book we find that the dust has settled and that everyone is pretty much cool with each other. But then again there is that one guy who Katniss inadvertently offended. The same guy who happens to share a name with the cold wintry weather, that has covered District 12 in a blanket of white. President Snow!

Although Katniss and Peeta continue to fulfill the star crossed lovers image, [spoilers removed], when Gale is punished Katniss risks all that when she runs in protesting, trying to save Gale's life. On top of all this she also finds evidence that District 13 may not be in total ruins after all!

Once again, Katniss and Peeta find themselves back in the arena for the 75th Annual Hunger Games known as the Quarter Quell.

Learning that this was a deliberate trap set to get rid of Katniss, Haymitch and his crew are at the ready, hoping to rescue the Victors. Whilst this takes place, Peeta falls into the hands of President Snow. 

As the book draws to a close a war breaks out and a rebellion against the Capital begins! 

In conclusion I thoroughly enjoyed this book although I didn't like it as much as I did the first. That said, I did prefer the arena in 'Catching Fire' to its predecessor as I thought the idea was very creative and well thought out. I also enjoyed learning about and getting to know the past Victors. If you loved 'The Hunger Games' then you will enjoy 'Catching Fire'. 

I can't wait to read 'Mockingjay'.

Review by Katie Johnson (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5 Stars)

I can think of many words to describe this book, and one of them is AMAZING!!!

It starts off with a carefree everyday normal life. Things have settled down since the Hunger Games ended. Only to be disrupted again. It's hard enough for Katniss to go on pretending she loves Peeta, but a visit from President Snow diminishes any hope left for them both. Peeta proposes to Katniss in front of the nation. Later claiming they are already married and that Katniss is pregnant. Of course it's all for show but it doesn't go down well with the audience. 

Despite everything they are still thrown into the heart of the Quater Quell Games. The games only last a few days but a lot happens in that space of time. It's nothing like the Hunger Games. This is carefully and purposely planned out so that the victors soon discover the true purpose of the game. 

A rebellion is on the way, war has broken out. Nothing will ever be the same again. It's only a matter of time before the Capital are taken over and put in their places. 

I can't wait to read the final installment Mockingjay!! 

Review by Katie Ellis (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5/5 Stars) 

Entangled

                  ⭐️⭐️2/5 Stars 

So I've finally finished it. It took longer than I thought. Probably because it was just one of those books you instantly repel. I guess the rebel inside of me broke out and made me read on. 

At first it was just confusing. Why did it start off with Day 3? Why not Day 1? I guess my questions were answered on like the last few pages of the book.

 The swearing and drinking and ridiculous amount of sex was unnecessary. I felt so uncomfortable reading it, it was just utter filth. But like I said, the rebel inside of me took over. I kept thinking this is what my life could have been like if I hadn't been brought up into a loving, caring family.

Also I couldn't resist a love story, even if it was fake all along. I could see it right from the very beginning. I fell for Nat, hopelessly. Come to think of it even Ethan sounded Hot. I'm a sucker for cute guys. 

I'm surprised to say this but I actually really want to find out what happens next. I guess 2 stars is a little low, but it was just too trashy for my taste.

Review by Katie Ellis

The Hunger Games

                     

                     ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

                          5/5 stars 

'Bright and bubbly as ever, Effie Trinket trots to the podium and gives her signature, "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!"'

I first saw this book, back when I was 16, wow I'm making myself sound old. One of my friends picked it up from a local library. Reading the blurb, I found myself teased and intrigued to read more. Being the typical me I had forgotten to write down the author and name of the book, which then lead me to somehow forget all about it completely.

Three years later and I discover it's been made into a film, my dad has the books and my sister is all ready in anticipation to see the film. It's not until I see the trailer that recognition washes over me. I know I've come across a similar plot line somewhere before and that's when I realised. 

Refusing to see the film at the cinema, I dove straight into the first book 'The Hunger Games'. I wouldn't say I was gripped from the very first line, but by the end of the first chapter I was enthralled.

When Primrose Everdeen's name is picked out at random, from the glass ball, on the day of the reaping. Katniss Everdeen volunteers as tribute for her district, District 12. Taking her sisters place, her journey to the Capital and the Hunger Games begin. 

Even though the Games don't actually start till chapter 11, Collins manages to captivate you through every chapter, digging deep into Katniss's emotions, feelings and thoughts. 

I love the fact that Collins adds suspense when things start to settle down or everything seems to be fine. You are really woken up, to find how much the characters have to go through in order to stay alive. Literally using all of their senses. 

But even in the worst of events, there's always room for hope, security and love. And that of which Katniss finds in Peeta Mellark, the boy tribute of District 12. 

Although gruesome at times, it was excitingly thrilling, filled with twists and turns, I was thoroughly absorbed. Overall this book is a must read, especially if you haven't seen the film!

And on that note enjoy!

*retrieves The Hunger Games DVD, slips the disc into the machine with a smile* Happy Hunger Games!

Review By Katie Johnson 

Everyone told me to read the book first. I didn't listen to them. I find that by reading the book first you build up a somewhat expectation for the film, only to be disappointed when it doesn't live up to those expectations. That's why I watched the film first. 

 I found that it didn't matter in the end. Both the film and the book were as gripping and enticing as I had hoped they would be. It was just one of those story's that makes you appreciate what you have in life. I was intrigued to know what this bold new world was all about. 

I was hooked from beginning to end. With me, there has to be a romance involved. I can't read a book without one. This was more than just a love story, it was a love traingle with a twist. 

When I got to chapter 11, the beginning of the 74th Hunger Games, my nerves were on edge. Within minutes after the gong has sounded there are cannons going off for every person who is killed. Each death is shown on the big screen at night. This gives those who are remaining an idea of who is left. Groups form together, plots are laid out. Tensions rise. 

The first few days are crucial. Surviving in such climates becomes unbearable to even think. You find yourself forming attachments. Anticipating every move. Impressed by those you wouldn't have thought twice about. As the numbers begin to gradually go down one by one, the mood changes. When only 3 remain, the game makers decide to make things a little more interesting. 

I was so relieved when the games finally came to an end. I'd cried too much already that I was glad for it to be over. 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and hope the next book is as gripping and thrilling as this was! 

Review by Katie Ellis 

Fracture

                 ⭐️⭐️2/5 Stars 

I really don't know what to say about this book. Only that it started off ok and got worse from then on. I wasn't very impressed with the amount of swearing throughout the book. 

It got so boring and repetitive. Like her illness wasn't getting any better or any worse. She was stuck in that hospital for what seemed like forever. Even after she was out the story just wasn't going anywhere. 

I found it unnecessary that they killed off Carson. That's where I stopped reading. I'd just had enough. The only character I found even remotely interesting was Decker. 

With most books I usually skip to the end to see what happens. Though I did do that with this book, I didn't care what happened to them. I have to admit I'm a little disappointed.

Review by Katie Ellis

Bloodlines/The Golden Lily

            ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars

So I didn't get around to ever writing a review for Bloodlines. At the time I didn't feel the need for one. So I've joined these two together as they are both from the same series. 

             ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars

Is totally in love with this series. At first I wasn't sure if I would like it as much as the Vampire Academy (VA) series. I mean a spin-off sounded wrong, I wanted more of VA. On the other hand it was cool to see a different side to things. 

Sydney is the perfect person to take over from Rose. There's still little scenes where Rose is mentioned, Dimitri receives a phone call from her and he practically glows with love for her. It's so sweet. Sydney starts dating what seems to be the ultimate match for her but in the end it doesn't work out. 

What I love most is the relationship between Sydney and Adrian. Sydney seems completely oblivious to how Adrian feels about her, even after all the hints that were given. It frustrated me how blind she was. I wanted her to just drop everything she believed and kiss him already. But of course that would be way out of character for her.

There was some satifaction at the end. Not to spoil anything but there may be some hope for them after all. I really can't wait for the next book now!

Review by Katie Ellis