REVIEW: City of Heavenly Fire

CITY OF HEAVENLY FIRE
by Cassandra Clare


Pages: 733 paperback
Publisher: Walker Books
Publication Date: May 28th 2014
ISBN: 1406332933


Summary 

Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world changed in the sixth and last instalment of the internationally bestselling The Mortal Instruments series. 
Erchomai, Sebastian had said. I am coming. 
Darkness returns to the Shadowhunter world. As their society falls apart around them, Clary, Jace, Simon and their friends must band together to fight the greatest evil the Nephilim have ever faced: Clary's own brother. Nothing in this world can defeat him - must they journey to another world to find the chance?

Review

I have this thing about ending, I don't like them! For instance if I don't read the last book in a series it never ends... I swear there is logic in there somewhere. However, I recently received a copy of Tale From The Shadowhunter Academy (Walker Books) and I couldn't very well read that without having read City of Heavenly Fire, so after googling what happened in the last book because it was like 3 years ago I read it I sat down and finally finished The Moral Instruments series. 

City of Heavenly Fire follows our favourite shadowhunt's and Simon as they prepare to finally put an end to Sebastian's reign of terror. However, it is never quite that simple and as they prepare for their biggest battle yet their friendships are tested, relationships pushed to their absolute limits as the safety and survival of the shadowhunter race falls on the shoulders of our favourite tattooed characters. 

Okay so I will admit I still think The Mortal Instruments series could very well have concluded after City of Glass making it like the perfect trilogy ever! However, putting that opinion to one side this also made a spectacular conclusion to the series. It took a little while to jog my memory on a few things but once I did it all came flooding back and I remember that I felt the story had gotten a little lost in the penultimate book but City of Heavenly Fire felt more like the books I fell in love with. Jace's sarcasticness was on point, Alec's stick up his ass was a bit more bendy than normal, Izzy was her hot worrier self, Simon broke my heart and as always Clary proved she is just as much a part of this world as anyone else. It is these characters in which I stuck with this series (even with the break) and I was so so so happy that in the end they got an ending that felt true to the story. 

City of Heavenly Fire is heartbreaking at times! Although sometimes that's just how a story as to unfold. After all, if everything ended happily ever after it wouldn't be staying true to the characters. Personally I was captivated by this book and I didn't want to put it down - which is saying something because its one BIG ASS BOOK! There was not a part in the story that lulled and it flowed effortlessly from start to finish. I'm a little sad that this is where the story ends, however I know I've got Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy sitting on my nightstand ready to go. 

Overall I really was happy that I decided to get back to this series! I don't like endings but I know this isn't the end of this story. With hopes of a cameo from these kick ass protagonists in other books to the fact we have Shadowhunters on Netflix I know I'll still get my demon hunting fix. If like me you haven't read the last book, due to the fact big books are scary or maybe there are other people with irrational fears of endings (I hope i'm not the only one) I do recommend seeing the series through. It will break your heart but as always, Magus will wiggle his magic fingers and fix it again.  


Waiting on Wednesday #22



THE WAKING LAND
by Callie Bates


Pages: 400
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
ISBN: 9781473638723


Summary 

It's been fourteen years, since King Antoine took Elanna hostage. Fourteen years since her father's rebellion failed. Fourteen years spent being raised by the man who condemned her people to misery. A man she's come to love as a father.
Now 20, Elanna is about to be taken prisoner once again... but this time by her father's mysterious righthand man. 
Her father wants to reignite his rebellion, this time using Elanna as figurehead. He will tell his followers she is the legendary Wildegarde reborn, a sorceress who could make the very earth tremble. 
But what no one knows is that magic really does flow through Elanna's veins. Now she must decide which side she's on, and whether she'll use her powers for mercy... or revenge. 
A bold and gorgeous fantasy featuring a brilliant heroine on the cusp of womanhood, The Waking Land is the first of a trilogy that will delight fans of The Red Queen, Six of Crows, and Court of Thorns and Roses.

PUBLICATION DATE:
JUNE 29TH 2017


What is your #WaitingOnWednesday this week? Comment below as I'm excited to see what everyone else is looking forward to! 






REVIEW: The Battlemage

THE BATTLEMAGE
by Taran Matharu


Pages: 439 hardcover
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Publication Date: May 4th 2017
ISBN: 9781444924275


Summary 

After the thrilling cliffhanger at the end of book two, we rejoin Fletcher and his friends in the ether, where they must undertake a mortally dangerous quest, all the while avoiding capture by enemies and facing foes more terrifying than anything they have yet encountered.

But this is nothing compared to what truly lies ahead for Fletcher, as his nemesis, albino orc Khan, is on a mission to destroy Hominum and everything and everyone that Fletcher loves.

Epic battles, dramatic revelations and breathtaking drama await in the third and final book in the New York Times bestselling Summoner series.

Review

**Spoilers for those who haven't read the first two books**

So here we have it, the final chapter in the Summoner books and oh my cheesus is fit a lot into its pages! There was action, there was drama and I'm happy to report there was more demons than ever before. I don't think I have ever fallen in love with a series so fast (excluding HP) and even though the last battle broke my heart into a thousand tiny pieces it ended beautifully... there were tears.

The Battlemage starts where The Inquisition ended with Fletcher, Othello, Sylva, Cress and Alice stepping through a portal into the orc part of the ether as a last ditch attempt to save themselves from the white orc and his army. Throughout this book we see our heroes pushed way beyond their limits as they try to survive the ether that had left Lovett paralysed, take on the Kings father and his corrupt nobles, while having to prepare for the biggest battle of their lives. Friendships are tested, old faces make their final appearance and Fletcher finally finds where he belongs.

Okay so lets get this out the way first, the reason in which I didn't give this 5 stars. Don't get me wrong I still loved this book and I completely understand why curtain things needed to happen for the progression of the story. However, my favourite thing about these books was the friendship between Fletcher, Othello and Sylva and without giving too much away there was a part of this book were that was lacking and I missed it!

Moving on for that small set back I did really enjoy this book. There wasn't a moment throughout this book that wasn't packed to the brim with action and drama. It had me sitting on the edge of my seat at times hoping for a happy ending and above all else it stayed true to the series. It answered all the questions left open in The Inquisition like with what happened to Blue, Jeffrey's betrayal and most importantly what the hell is going on with Ignatius and the whole bathing in lava thing? I mean, I like a hot bath as much as the next person and/or demon but time and place little guy!!

Overall though I was so happy with the way in which the series ended. I know the information in this review is a little sparse but spoilers and all that. Personally I wish there was more on Fletcher as I want to know what happened after the last page but at the same time I felt it ended perfectly, making it a well crafted trilogy that I honestly believe will stand the test of time. So that's that guys, all three books.... I really hope that if you haven't read them you are going to because as far as YA fantasy goes it has everything and has very quickly (and easily) become one of my favourite series.












**I received this book as an ARC from Hachette Children's Books to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**