~Can't Wait Wednesday: The Red Scrolls of Magic (The Eldest Curses #1)~

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

The Red Scrolls of Magic (The Eldest Curses #1) by Cassandra Clare

Out:  4/2/19

From Goodreads:

                From #1 New York Times bestseller Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu comes the first book in a new trilogy featuring centuries-old High Warlock Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood after they survive the Mortal War.

               

                Magnus Bane, a centuries old High Warlock, has taken possession of one of the great relics of the supernatural world, a powerful spell book of dark magic known as The Book of the White and there are many who want to claim it for themselves.

                After the Mortal War where the part-human and park-angel Shadowhunters teamed with the part human-demon Downworlders to fight against the incursion of an army of demons, Magnus and his new lovers, the mortal Alex Lightwood celebrate their survival and victory by escaping the supernatural battlefield of New York City by touring the world, but the world won’t leave them alone.

                The first adult novel set within #1 New York Times bestselling author Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter series, written with award-winning science fiction author Wesley Chu, is a fantasy thriller that will give new readers a great way to enter the Shadowhunter world and give the millions of readers across the globe answers they’ve been looking for in this start of The Eldest Curse trilogy.

Why I’m Waiting:

                 Okay so huge fan of the Shadowhunter world.  I don’t care if some think she’s overusing it, I LOVE it!  I mean who wouldn’t want to stay in this huge world that was created when there is so much to work with.  Plus and this is probably more important….Magnus is my favorite character.  I adore him!  And I adore him and Alec so much so a series on them….sold!

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your CWW as well so I can check it out.

The Bane Chronicles & A Piratey Giveaway!

                Hello happy readers!  Today I have a short review for you with my thoughts on The Bane Chronicles, the bind-up of novellas featuring Magnus Bane from the Shadowhunter universe.  He is my favorite character in the world so of course I loved more with him as the main focus.  However, I also have another goodie to share today: A new GIVEAWAY!  I had meant to post this with a review of the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie but my schedule isn't looking like it will give me a chance to see it anytime in the next couple of weeks and I wanted to do this so changes have been made.  Full details will be at the bottom of the post.

Rating:  5 Stars

                Magnus is my favorite so of course it got a five star rating from me.  Some of the stories were better than others for me but each one gave me more Magnus and thus more insight into him as a character.  I think I adored the later stories, the ones that have Alec in them a bit more though that may simply be because I totally adore them and to see their first interactions from a new perspective was so dang cute.  Seriously the first date one….probably my favorite. 

                Still we see more depth into Magnus as a person and where he came from.  We know he has more depth to him than we sometimes see, more than extreme fashion and sparkle but to see him in different times going through different circumstances.  To really see his immortality in such a way was nice.  Seeing how connected he is to this world we know and love, really connected and not just through our different sets of Shadowhunters we see as the main focus in The Infernal Devices, The Mortal Instruments, and now The Dark Artifices, because these groups of kids are loveable but to the whole world.  Magnus is a warlock and such a personality so it makes sense that he has interacted with everyone in his time and to really see it was very nice. 

                Plus it was lots of fun because Magnus may be powerful but even he can fall pray to some bad choices.  Seeing the fun and playful side of him and more so the side that really deeply cares for all life really made me love him all the more.  I also enjoyed seeing more of his friends and such, getting some past encounters to them and giving them more depth.  You don't have to read these to enjoy or understand the main series but much like the Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy it would give more meaning and understanding to some things.   Plus more Magnus so of course I highly recommend!  I also highly recommend the audiobook because the different narrators give something special to the different times and mischief in his life.

                 Including him becoming a pirate.  See I totally made the pirate theme work to my advantage here.  So about my giveaway.  A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of going to an event for the talented and sweet Nicole Castroman for her new release Blacksouls (Blackhearts #2) which I had previously reviewed here.  She had been gracious enough to give me an early copy at ApollyCon but when I saw her schedule for events I knew I wanted to go support her and pick up a copy to do a giveaway with!  It was great fun as always and I even won a game/challenge and got my own mini pirate chest!  Score!  This giveaway is open to US only at this time.  Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices #2)

                Hello happy readers!  So as many of my fellow Shadowhunters are aware the newest i book came out last week, Lord of Shadows.  I had the audiobook pre-ordered and had been waiting to dive in after how Lady Midnight left off and had me very worried.  So buckle in and sit back while I try to put my all over thoughts into a somewhat coherent review for this amazing story.  Spoilers ahead for the previous books in the universe duh.  To catch up I reviewed Lady Midnight here.  Also as I listened to the audiobook I didn’t see the names written so sorry in advance if I mess up any of the spellings I am trying to Google them first!

Rating: 5 Runes

                When we left off in Lady Midnight they had just killed the evil warlock and managed to keep things under wraps about their deal with the faeries and Uncle Author with his condition among other things.  Oh and Jem and Tessa shared the news with Emma of the parabatai curse making the love between her and Julian not just against the Shadowhunter law but a curse.  Now while the Shadowhunters have some stupid and unfair laws this one is there for a reason even if no one really knows it.  So Emma decides to pretend to date his brother to make him not love her anymore to prevent the curse.  That’s just the start of the mess with an extremist group, the Cohort, trying to push their agenda and the stress of the Cold Peace and all things Faerie.  So just your typical day at the LA Institute.

                So first things first I listened to the audiobook which I adored.  I was a few chapters, a few hours, before I realized why the voice sounded familiar.  It’s ready by James Marsters (AKA Spike from Buffy) and that was just extra sprinkles on the book because I always adored his voice.  Now for the story, I was so anxious about this curse.  I had spent the time since reading Lady Midnight trying to come up with ways it could be avoided or some loop hole and I kept coming up with nothing solid.  Plus the whole having to hurt him to push him away because being told it’s impossible to love someone doesn’t make the feeling go away even if you want it to.  Feelings are tricky that way.  So I expected there to be some of that back and forth with this side of things.  I went back and forth between saying screw it I want them together just be honest and stop hurting each other and wanting them to stay apart so nothing bad happened.  I just adore them.  But this pretend dating made me love Mark even more.  I really grew to like him in the last book but in this one, him curling up in a blanket cocoon every night in Emma’s room and them talking and really connecting was beautiful.  They were connecting in a way that parabatai are supposed to connect so seeing the inverse with brothers was a great play.

                 I just fell in love with everyone!  I mean I already loved the Blackthron kids from Julian for obvious reasons and his love and care for his family, Liv and Ty with their bond and determination to help, even Dru and her body issues tired of always being stuck babysitting and of course sweet little Tavy.  Even poor Arthur and his broken mind.  I loved that the book handled his condition and showed several sides to it.  This is even more so done of Ty.  We knew he was different and for Shadowhunters that isn’t a good thing as they don’t like not being able to place people in boxes but we really dove into his character.  Seeing him with Kit and watching as Kit, who thought he was normal and knows more about mundane medicine and psychology understands him.  Watching these two interact while Kit struggles with his newfound “family” and surroundings was what they both needed.    This book for all it had happening really gave you a chance to dive into so many characters including Diana and her past which, was so well done and so different all I can say is kudos.

                We also had more of the familiar faces we know from the previous book series which I adore!  I mean I loved these characters so of course seeing them, even if only in smaller less major rolls is huge.  I love knowing what is going on with Jace and Clary in NY and even more I was beyond thrilled to see more Magnus and Alec!  Magnus is my favorite character of the world, not only is he in every series but he is fabulous.  I also adore him and Alec so happy and in family mode was great!  Plus whenever he gets to whip up his blue flames of magic with a smart quip is perfect!  Everything in this world is connected somehow and I love it!

                 Faerie is also a huge influence in this series.  We have the Cold Peace with not everyone agrees with but getting rid of it is easier said than done.  We go into Faerie and get to see both the Seelie and Unseelie courts, both dangerous in their own way.  While the Unseelie King has always been an enemy, the Seelie Queen has been devious in the past with horrible consequences so it’s hard to trust either.  Something did happen I didn’t know if it was possible to do, I like Kieran.  And Gwen (Wild Hunt leader).  Yep, never saw that coming but they were both developed in this story and the way the characters interact and the stories all flow just really opens them up in the best way possible and gives so much to attach to.  Speaking of the Wild Hunt, we see another band of elite and terrifying faerie warriors.  

                Lord of Shadows really had so much going for it.  I was invested in the world I already love flaws and all as it brings important topics to the forefront.  The characters who are all so unique and special in their own way even the baddies I love to hate on.  Ships to ship and so much more.  I also love how the story balances out the mystery and intrigue handling so many different aspects and somehow making them all blend together.  My biggest gripe about this book is that per Goodreads (at this moment) it shows an estimated publication date for the next book to be 2019!  That’s not even a year wait but LONGER!  With the ending…and just trust that I have some serious feels about that ending.  Like LOTS of feels about that ending.  I need more and I need it now.  2019 is too long of a wait so I hope it was a typo. 

                Still that’s all for now.  I’d love to hear your thoughts and feels in the comments below.  I’m waiting for my friend to finish it now and it’s killing me not being able to discuss it with her yet (payback for not having caught up with The 100 yet she says) but my world of bookish peeps are here so score!  Check back I have a couple giveaways planned in the next bit and I think the next one will go live in the next day or so!

                Until next time…

Top Ten Tuesday: Fandoms!

                Hello everyone!  Top Ten Tuesday is just how it sounds, a topic is picked and we put our Top Ten for that in a post and share and check out everyone’s answers.  Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

The top ten today is:  Fandoms I’m a part of!

La Femme Nikita- I was maybe a smidge too young to really watch this but I remember loving it so so much.  I remember trying to record all the episodes on VHS (before seasons regularly came out or there was Netflix) and being mad hey wouldn’t fit.  I could name every episode in order of every season.  It was serious.  I didn’t know what a fandom was then and had the internet been like it is now I would have found it!

Moonlight- This TV show really made me understand what a fandom is.

Twilight- I fell hard into this one when I first marathoned the books and it will always have a special place in my heart.

Disney- I’ve always been a huge Disney fan and still as an adult today love all my childhood Disney tales and watch them on the regular.  I get all gooey when I see cute Disney merch and kids finding my favorites for the first time.

Harry Potter- Do I even need to explain this one?  I found it a little later than many but I was so glad when I finally gave in and fell in love.  I still haven’t been to the park yet, but that is a goal of mine in the near future, maybe even this year. 

Sarah J. Maas- Both of her series because I can’t pick just one.  The amazing talk about these and the artwork that fans much more talented than I have created…it’s intense and I love it.  She has also nearly broken all of our hearts several times over so yeah.  I would be broke if I allowed myself to shop on some of the beautiful and amazing sites.  I just reviewed and caught up on Empire of Storms in the Throne of Glass series but A Court of Mist and Fury just....it got to me on such a level I can't process! 

Veronica Mars- I didn’t watch it until it was over sadly.  I didn’t have the channel at first and then once I did I couldn’t start it from the middle (I just can’t) so I watched it when they came out on DVD.  You know because streaming wasn’t as popular and I lived in the middle of the country with snail internet speed.  Bright side when I did get to watch I was able to marathon through and have done so several times and it’s always a fall back to put on and just love.  I was a huge Veronica/Logan shipper!  I was thrilled about the movie and the subsequent books.  I’m a happy little marshmallow.

Vampire Academy- This series…it just blew me away.  I waited until it was over to read and I’m glad I did because it just blew me away.  I read them all pretty quickly and just fell in love with the characters and the story and was rooting for my favorites from the start.  I remember being upset that most of my friends hadn’t read these yet and I had no idea who to talk to about it having not yet discovered all the joys of the bookish community.

Supernatural- I’ve been watching this for so long and it regularly ends up in everyday conversation even if the other person doesn’t know it.  My friends and I send back Supernatural memes and such it’s always great.

The Shadowhunter Universe- I love all of these books.  This deep and never ending world full of characters that we love is amazing.  I love how things in one era may come into play in the present day and how some immortal characters can cross over between them all.  It’s such an amazing world!

General Hospital- This is a soap which I have been watching all of my life.  I kid you not when the 50^th anniversary came about there was a special People edition for it and it have time lines for each decade and such and I was reading my copy because of course I have one and I saw plot points for stories I remember and when I saw the year I actually had to stop and look it up.  Like verify I hadn’t lost my mind.  I did in fact remember story/plot points from when I was 5 years old.  WTF? Everyone watched so it was always on each day in the background and eventually I started paying close attention to it but I apparently retained much more than I thought.

                I could really have just listed all the shows/series/books/things I love and filled pages and still never had enough but I figure picking out a couple of the top/active ones was enough.  I can’t really think too hard on it though because even as I get ready to post I want to add/change things.  It’s like picking a favorite book, impossible!

                 Tell me what you think of my list in the comments below.  Also please link back to your Top Ten as well so I can check out your list and see what I missed!

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1)

                Hello happy readers! Today I am reviewing a book I had been wanting to get to since last year when it first came out but time and all plus it was massive.  So when I was contacted about working with a new audiobook app eStories I was thrilled and knew just the book to start with.  Plus it worked right into my audiobook challenge I'm doing this year!  The eStories app is simple and easy to use and super self explanatory and nicely laid out so thrilled with that.  The book in question you might ask is LadyMidnight (The Dark Artifices #1) by Cassandra Clare.

Rating:  5 Runes

                It's been a minute since I read the last Mortal Instruments book.  I had planned to re-read/skim it prior to moving on and reading Tales From the Shadowhunter Academy but that didn't end up happening go figure.  Still while I didn't remember specific details about the ending of the dark war it all came back to me as I began LadyMidnight.  We meet these characters, most of them anyways, at the end when they were younger but just as brave, stubborn, and dedicated.  Five years have passed and Emma is no longer a child but a woman still searching for answers about her parents murder.  Her and Julian became parabatai, bound together forever to become better together than apart so long as the most sacred rule of the Shadowhunters is not broken.  Emma and Julian must work to solve the string of demonic murders happening around them while balancing a thin line of treachery between the Clave and the Cold Peace.  Rules are meant to be broken though, especially when it comes to family and love.

                I didn't realize how much I missed this world until I was back inside of it.  It also made me laugh from the start as I do watch the TV show where things are massively different but I find it fun.  I had almost forgotten how non-high tech the world really is.  Getting to know a new Institute in Los Angeles between the ocean and the desert was so different from the one we know in New York.  The plot starts off right away but we also slowly get re-introduced to our characters and where they are currently in life since it has been five years and many things have changed.  Emma who I love just as fiercely as I did when she was a little girl in the last book is even more loveable.  She's strong and determined and confident in her abilities but she is very unsure about other things like matters of the heart which I think most everyone can relate to.  Plus she is kick butt and she has an equally awesome weapon of choice in Cortana.  Cortana is almost a character itself really.  A new face we have is Christina, visiting from the Mexico Institute, and a fast friend to Emma.  I adored them together and having some girl bonding because us girls all need a girlfriend to talk to and confide in.  Christina also brings her own story which I hope will  be much more developed in the next book because what pieces we got I was really enjoying. Plus I want to know more about this "perfect" Diego.

                Now the Blackthorns.  Julian is now the head of the Blackthorns and stand in father to the younger ones.  He is so much more grown up that we last saw him.  He has taken such good care of the little ones after Mark was taken by the hunt in the Dark War and Helen was sent away.  Julian stepped up.  You can't help but to love him and his dedication and love for his family.  He will do anything to help them and keep them together, including Emma.   The younger Blackthorns are just as loveable with the twins Livvy and Ty who are so cute together it hits the feels to Dru and then the youngest of them all little Tavvy.  Each has their own unique personality and skill set.  But it's their interactions together as a family unit that just make them so priceless.  The change in how they act together just family to how they act when someone new or unknown is thrown in just their protective instincts.

                 We also have a tutor for the kids, Diana who has her own secrets.  And of course every Institute works with the high warlock of the area, and while Magnus will always be my favorite in LA they have Malcolm.  He's not the only downworlder though as we have all different type some of the most memorable are the vampire Anselm and of course the members of the Wild Hunt with Gwyn and Kieran.  There are plenty more as they deal with several characters to try and solve this case.  A very rounded out cast already but we also have appearances from old favorites from both flashbacks and present day mentions like Clary, Jace, Magnus (who is still my favorite character in this world), Jem, Tessa, and even Church!  I was so excited to see these old faces.  While I love the new group to pieces, seriously they are amazing it was so nice to see everyone else as it really shows how all the stories come together into one beautiful world.

                With the other books we have not just the immediate plot but the underlying issue of change that needs to happen on a much larger scale.  Previously they made steps to reform and change things but the world still needs work as we all do.  The first book really points out a few issues that I hope will be tackled as the series progresses and I think most will focus on the Cold Peace and overall Shadowhunter law.  There is a specific law I am unpleased about at this moment.  I won't give it away but to say that when I finished this book I was in desperate need to talk about it.  Thankfully this is one of the few books a good friend of mine read before me so as soon as I finished I was texting her I would be over to visit and discuss later that day.  And discuss we did.  I have many theories and hopes myself but right now my heart is just aching for some of the individual relationships between the cast seem on unsteady ground.  I need more and I'm hoping Cassandra Clare doesn’t rip my heart out.  Some victories and some losses.  This series is off to an amazing start and I know I won't be waiting as long to dive into the next book!

                Though having enjoyed the audiobook I think I may want to listen to the next one as well.   I almost forgot one of my favorite parts of the eStories app is that it doesn't just tell you what chapter you're on or how much time you have left but it says what percentage you're at.  For someone who loves to update Goodreads reading progress that is perfect!  Usually I have to guess to update or if I have the physical book or know someone that does I'll ask them what page a certain chapter is on this is so much easier!  I could go on forever about this series and how awesome the audiobook was, because the change in voice/pitch/accent for different characters was on point!  I'd love to know what you guys thought of the book and any theories you have for the future (I can't share mine without spoiling anything) just please put *spoiler* before so if anyone hasn't finished they are safe. 

                Until next time…

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare

Out: 11/15

From Goodreads:

                The New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling collection of short stories chronicling the adventures of Simon Lewis as he trains to become a Shadowhunter is now available in print for the first time with ten brand-new comic illustrations!

                Simon Lewis has been a human and a vampire, ad now he is becoming a Shadowhunter.  The events of City of Heavenly Fire left him stripped of his memories, and Simon isn’t sure who he is anymore.  So when the Shadowhunter Academy reopens, Simon throws himself into this new world of demon-hunting, determined to find himself again.  Whomever this new Simon might be.

                But the Academy is a Shadowhunter institution, which means it has some problems.  Like the fact that non-Shadowhunter students have to live in the basement.  At least Simon’s trained in weaponry—even if it’s only from hours of playing D&D.

                Join Simon on his journey to become a Shadowhunter, and learn about the Academy’s illustrious history along the way, through guest lecturers such as Jace Herondale, Tessa Gray, and Magnus Bane.  Written by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, and Robin Wasserman, these moving and hilarious short stories are perfect for the fan who just can’t get enough of the Shadowhunters.

Why I’m Waiting:

                 Okay so I know I could read them now but come on I want them on my shelf with my other books!  Plus it makes me feel better to read them as a whole book rather than individual short stories.  Doing that makes my Goodreads challenge shoot up and makes me feel like I’m cheating!  Plus again need it on my shelf to help fill out my Shadowhunter shelf because yes they need their own shelf at this point.  Plus if you look at the cost it seems cheaper to buy the physical bind-up than each individual book if you are patient enough. 

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out!

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

Out:  3/8

From Goodreads:

Los Angeles.  It's been five years since the events of the Mortal Instruments when Nephilim stood poised on the brink of oblivion and Shadowhunter Emma Carstairs lost her parents.  After the blood and violence she witnessed as a child, Emma has dedicated her life to discovering exactly what it was that killed her parents and getting her revenge.

Raised in the Los Angeles Institute with the Blackthorn family, Emma is paired as a parabatai with her best friend, Julian Blackthorn.  A series of murders in the city catch her attention—they seem to have the same characteristics as the deaths of her parents.  Could the murderer be the same person?  And her attention isn't the only one caught:  someone has been murdering Downworlders as well.  The Fair Folk make a deal with the Institute:  if the Blackthorns and Emma will investigate the killings, they'll return Mark Blackthorn to his home.  The catch:  they have only two weeks to find the killers.  Otherwise it's open war between faeries and Nephilim.

The Shadowhunters of the Institute must race against time to catch the killers, even as they begin to suspect the involvement of those closest to them.  At the same time, Emma is falling in love with the one person in the world she's absolutely forbidden by Shadowhunter Law to love.  Set against the glittering backdrop of present-day Los Angeles, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches from the warlock-run nightclubs of the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica.

Why I’m Waiting:

                I have just adored all things Shadowhunter thus far and getting to meet Emma in City of Heavenly Fire just made me want to know more about her all the more.  I am so excited to continue in the world!