City of Ashes- Cassandra Clare

Publisher: McElderry books
Published: March 25, 2008
453 pages
Goodreads page

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

I really wanted to like this series. After all the hype its gotten i had high hopes for it. Unfortunately I'm finding that I'm just really not a fan. 
I don't particularly care about the characters and i find the story line kind of dull. The whole time i was reading this book i was constantly wondering when it was going to end.
I cant put my finger on specifically what it is i don't like but it kind of just isn't my thing i think.

I feel like sometimes when the characters have a conversation it always feels robotic and they will try to chuck in some witty remark or try to be funny and it really just doesn't work well.

I may read the next book out of curiosity but i am not guaranteeing anything.

I'm still interested to try out the infernal devices trilogy because i have heard quite a few people who didn't like the mortal instruments actually liked the infernal devices. So i think ill give it a go and if that doesn't interest me it may just be that Cassandra Clare's writing style doesn't work for me personally.

***
Three stars

Flashback Friday #5

Flashback Friday is a weekly meme i created where we can take a look back at books we loved when we were younger. Being someone who has loved reading my whole life its fun to look back at the books that you once enjoyed. If you want to join the fun link up below and share you favorites!

This weeks book is:

The secret garden- Frances Hodgson Burnett
First published: 1911
331 pages

What secrets lie behind the doors at Misselthwaite Manor? Recently arrived at her uncle's estate, orphaned Mary Lennox is spoiled, sickly, and certain she won't enjoy living there. Then she discovers the arched doorway into an overgrown garden, shut up since the death of her aunt ten years earlier. Mary soon begins transforming it into a thing of beauty--unaware that she is changing too.But Misselthwaite hides another secret, as mary discovers one night. High in a dark room, away from the rest of the house, lies her young cousin, Colin, who believes he is an incurable invalid, destined to die young. His tantrums are so frightful, no one can reason with him. If only, Mary hopes, she can get Colin to love the secret garden as much as she does, its magic will work wonders on him.

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The iron daughter (Iron fey #2)- Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Published: Aug 1, 2010
359 Pages
Goodreads page

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

I really love this world that Julie has created. It took me a bit to get back into it because i read the first book quite a while ago but once my memory caught up i was taken away to this magical world.
I know that a lot of people aren't into books about faeries but i actually really enjoy it, its a great escape from reality.
I liked how the story adventure continued and although Meghan could get annoying at times its pretty easy to see past that to the other great characters that are in this book. I love Puck and Ash and the rivalry they have going.
The one part in this book that kind of bugged me was the dance (those who have read it will know what I'm talking about). It was kind of cheesy and i think it would have been better for the story if they made that part in a different setting, but that's the only problem i had.
I'm excited to continue the series and see where the story and adventure goes.

****
Four stars