Mid-Year Reads Giveaway!

This year Dark Readers teamed up with a few other blogs for Mid-Year Reads Giveaway which is hosted by Good Choice Reading! Each blog has highlighted their favorite books they've read this year! On Dark Readers, each of us chose our Top 3 reads thus far in the year!

Andrea's Favorites 

 Title: Everneath

Author: Brodi Ashton

Everneath was the first book I read for 2012; I was immediately captivated by the suspense and thrill that this book had to offer. Brodi Ashton parallels a mythology with a well thought out storyline. The tie in was probably my all time favorite thing about this book. I'm a huge fan of mythology in general, but I was impressed with how Brodi brought the story of Persephone into the plot, but without overriding the entire story.

Andrea's Review

Title: The Fault in Our Stars

Author: John Green

A few weeks ago I was asked if there was anything I didn't like about The Fault in Our Stars... and my sarcastic self said, I hated the fact it made me cry so much! I've read this book several times now and the result is the same: tears, tears, and more tears. And guess what!? I actually know the outcome now!John Green writes like a poet; the sentences just flow over the pages like they were always meant to be there. Oh and lets not forget his characters are imperfectly flawless. With that I mean that although both of these main characters have their own struggles it was impossible to not feel love and empathy for them based on how they were written. 

Andrea's Review

 

Title: In Honor

Author: Jessi Kirby

 I belief the reason I truly adored this book is because Jessi makes a simple plot and with adorable characters that you want to love right away; well, Honor and Finn at least. Rusty will grow on you! And because death is a familiar topic- whether it is personal or someone you know- we all have an experience that is associated with loss; and so we already have a connection with Honor and feel as though as a reader we are on this road trip with her! Every obstacle, every leap, every success, and every emotional breakthrough that Honor goes through... I was there right along with her; In Honor captures a readers heart.

Andrea's Review

  Casey's Favorites 

 Title: Saving June

Author: Hannah Harrington

 I absolutely love music! Music is my life and I have never come across a book that just has it present so spectacularly. The quotes used to describe music in this novel are inspiring for example "music life would be a mistake" so simple but so effective!

Casey's Review

Title: The Gathering Dark  (Shadow & Bone)

Author : Leigh Bardugo

I can use one word to describe this book and that is "powerful" powerful because its original. Powerful because its eye catching. Powerful because it makes you feel all the emotions that are mentioned in the English dictionary, And powerful because Its made me have a whole new out look and something to look forward to in the future of YA.

Casey's Review

 

 Title: Before I Wake (Soul Screamers Series)

 Author: Rachel Vincent

Love, excitement, death. Blood, sweat and tears are only some of the words I can use to describe the brilliance of this book. I never get tired of reading the scenes between these characters! Rachel takes you to a place that challenges your imagination and screams at you through the page.

Casey's Review

Hayley's Favorites 

Title: Fever

Author: Dee Shulman

I loved the feeling I got when I saw the merging of the stories. There was definitely some 'light-bulb' moments from me. As the novel nears the end there are a number of shocking twists that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Hayley's Review

 

Title: Cinder

Author: Marissa Meyer

The tension between Kai and Cinder is empowering.
I can feel myself screaming at her go to the ball with him for gods sake woman.
There are certain twists and dramatic turns that as a reader you will never be ready for.
I wholeheartedly loved this novel.

Hayley's Review

Title: The Things We Did for Love

Author: Natasha Farrant

At such a young age she's acting like a young woman. In reading this novel you're taken on a rollercoaster ride through many emotions. As a reader you can feel her pain, joy, passion and sadness.

Hayley's Review

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Cover Reveal: The Soul Seekers: Echo By Alyson Noel

'Echo' is the second novel in Alyson Noel's fantastic new series 'The Soul Seekers' when I completed 'Fated' I desperately wanted to get my hands on 'Echo' even though at that time Alyson was still writing the second novel.

I cannot wait to see what's next for Daire and Dace, I understand 'Echo' will explain a lot more to us about Dace.

So here is the beautiful cover that I fell in love with yesterday....

Wait for it there is more awesomeness to come, Alyson also announced that the entire Soul Seekers series has been optioned for film so Fated, Echo, Mystic and Horizon.

WHOOP! As you can tell I am very excited, so from us at Dark Readers Congratulations Alyson Noel it is fully deserved.

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Book Review: Grave Mercy By Robin LaFevers

Name: Grave Mercy

Author: Robin LaFevers

Publisher: Anderson Press

Summary: Young, Beautiful and Deadly.

Trained as an assassin by te god of death, Ismae is sent to the court of Brittany, where she finds herself underprepared- not only for the games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make.

For how can she deliver Death's vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

A dangerous romance full of intrigue, poison and ultimately finding one's way.

Review: When I first heard about this novel I was intrigued but I wasn't sure I'd like it. 

But me being me I decided I would give it a go and I completely loved it, now I honestly cannot wait for the next assassin instalment.
As I've said before and I will say again NEVER judge a book by it's cover, I've now read two books that I nearly didn't bother with and I loved them both and 'Grave Mercy' is one of those novels. 

Ismae is a loveable character in the strangest of ways, she's had a really hard life thanks to many of the choices her father has made for her. 
I say she's had a hard life the girl is 14 years of age, but all of her short life she's had many troubles.

I cannot imagine being sold off to an older man at 14 years old. 
Let's face it I'm 28 and I would freak out, Ismae put up with her fathers cruelty and then her husband to be Guillo who was just as bad, until she was saved by the convent.
Ismae always knew she was different but as the book progresses she finds out a lot more about herself and her family history.

What I loved about this book was the unlikely love story that became one of the greatest love stories I have ever read. 
As I have said Ismae is a lovely girl who is very troubled and because of that she's quite cautious. You cannot blame her look at her experiences with her father and her husband to be Guillo. 
Gavriel Duval is the most unlikely hero. 
What really got me about 'Grave Mercy' was that it challenged me as a reader. 
One minute I was thinking one thing, and the next I had a whole new thought process. 
You'd be liking characters and then thinking well actually I don't think you're a good person.
Gavriel Duval was that sort of character one minute you were in awe of him the next you were hating him.

Women go through these horrible situations in everyday life and this book emphasises their struggles. 
Some women are tougher than others but if they're taught how to take care of themselves without relying on anyone else then they can survive anything.

Ismae was so shy and cautious to start with. As her story went on she became a confident woman and a confident assassin. I don't want to come across stereotypical but I never visualise a woman as an assassin. 
I've always been an independent woman but I don't think I could've put up with what Ismae did. 
Robin writes in such detail about how an assassin is trained and how they kill, as a reader you are at the heart of the action throughout.

I cannot wait to see how the rest of the assassin series plays out but I hope Ismae features some more she is the sort of killer I would like to be. If I had as much reason as she does, I'd like to think I would be a fast learner like Ismae.

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Intrigue, Suspense and just a general Hayley hello.

Hello all, Hayley here.

Well I apologise for my semi-silence, I am working on some reviews for you guys- the next one you will see is of Grave Mercy a book I was unsure of that I loved in the end so keep checking back.
So it seems the whole world are being blown away by the Fifty Shades series- I kept saying I wasn't going to read it but if I'm honest with you guys I'm INTRIGUED.
My best friend is currently on the second novel and I'm blaming her for my lapse in judgement, I shall keep you updated but I can see me having bought and started them by the end of the week eeek.

I am completely hooked by Claudia Carroll's 'A Very Accidental Love Story' I was sooo annoyed when my break ended during a crucial turn in the story, that had me a little distraught if I'm honest roll on 9pm when I finish work as soon as I'm on that bus the book will be back out of my bag. You have this awesome book to look forward to in September so you may have a wait for my review.
If there are any other Claudia Carroll fans out there feel free to send me a question as I shall be doing a Q&A with the lovely lady herself very soon and we may even have a guest post too.

Today I saw the finished copy of Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts on display in WHSmith I just had to see my quote I must've looked like a complete retard just smiling at a book.
Recently, I attended a blogger event with Random House- god those guys are awesome they always have the BEST cakes, I swear I gain pounds as I walk through the door some very exciting books coming from them I shall be reviewing some very soon.

I must also admit that I only recently read Angel by L.A.Weatherly I thoroughly enjoyed it and shall get to Angel Fire as soon as I can. God there are so many awesome books to choose from.
Do let me know if any of you out there are as bad as me for getting books and then not getting round to them for ages.

Look what I saw in my local high street...

How much I adored this series and it looks like Lauren has written something in Daniel's POV eeek cannot wait.
Anyway I shall love you and leave you guys there will be lots more coming REAL soon.

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Book Review: Black City By Elizabeth Richards

Name: Black City

Author: Elizabeth Richards
UK release date: Has no UK publisher yet! :(
US release date: November 12th 2012
Summary: A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war. In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable--they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash's long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they're caught, they'll be executed--but their feelings are too strong. When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths

Review: Imagine a wall keeping you separate from another race of beings? Never meeting them never will know them. But what if you do meet one of them and fall in love? Fall in love with a Darkling one that can drink your blood, have wings purple eyes and all sorts of unnatural things.

I first opened the book and was sucked in. Why? Because it was straight into the action and had such an awesome scene. Elizabeth Richards isn't afraid to be gruesome, A big dystopian, bloody, gory, sexy, hellish Romeo and Juliet is one way of describing this epic novel

So let's start with how epic this plot is! So original hints of relation to world war 2. You may think BORING but NOOO far from it. Emotional scenes, the book is such a page turner. Imagine your heart doesn't beat. But imagine meeting someone and your heart starts beating for the first time.....

I've never read so much sexual tension in a book it's so tremendous. Elizabeth has a Knack for making horrible things into something so beautiful. Like I said previously their are some relations to world war two e.g. concentration camps for "The Darklings" having to live in ghettos and wear wrist bands to show they are Darklings. I found this whole concept fascinating! From all the YA I've read this defiantly works. Love has never been more amazing in YA when reading this novel.

Soon as you think you've seen it all Elizabeth smacks you in the face with something new. Every time I think about certain characters such as Sebastian I keep thinking of the songs that would suit them! I don't usually do this but this book brought it out for me and for Seb "No churches in the wild" by Jay-Z and Kanye west suited very well go listen.

I love the two leads relationship. Ash and Natalie. I found their love/hate relationship addictive. I loved the fact it switched between the two characters. I never got tired of reading the scenes between these characters! Elizabeth takes you to a place that challenges your imagination wit forbidden love and screams at you through the page.....literally.

I love how she describe the surroundings. You literally felt like you where there breathing in the black Ash as the characters do. It was almost like watching a movie. I think this story is a lovely new take of what it means to love someone, first love, first experiences and not following the rules.
This book is one of those books that gives me goose bumps. I can feel it! The Darklings are going to take over the YA world. And I can't "fragging" wait.

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Book Review: Rapture By Lauren Kate

Name: Rapture
Author: Lauren Kate
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: 21st June 2012

Summary:

The sky is dark with wings . . . .
Like sand in an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Daniel. To stop Lucifer from erasing the past they must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this—live only to lose Luce again and again.
Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies . . . and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen.
For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her—and the love she cast aside.
The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters.
In the fight for Luce, who will win?

The astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series. Heaven can’t wait any longer.

Review:

For those of you who have regularly read my blog posts, I'm sure you can see who my fave authors are.
Lauren Kate is definitely one of my favourites not only is she an awesome person she is also the brains behind the 'Fallen' series which I have loved.
I am so sad that it's over but so grateful to have had the pleasure of losing myself in the beautiful love story of Daniel and Luce.
'Rapture' the final instalment in the series is by far the most emotional read ever.
I was so mesmerised by this novel that I found myself walking along the street desperate to know more.

Putting 'Rapture' down was not an option.

I was swept away by the beauty of this series and 'Rapture' not only tied the beautiful story together, Lauren also threw in a few unexpected, naughty yet oh so clever twists.
I found myself crying on the bus and screaming NO whilst reading during my lunch break.
It was so hard for me to say goodbye to this amazing series but Lauren Kate has definitely surpassed herself with 'Rapture' I have even more adoration for her, this novel is well-written, it has you as a reader on the edge of your seat.
'Rapture' goes straight into the heart of the action and it just gets even more intense.
I just never expected Luce's and Daniel's story to be this way, there were a few twists that had me gasping for breath. I'm sat there thinking OMG.
Just when you're thinking Daniel and Luce are home and dry to get on with their lives bam another huge twist that changes everything comes into play.
I don't want to ruin the story for you but there were many sad moments of loss and adoration for certain characters.
'Rapture' was not only heartbreaking it was earth shattering.
This book has set the bar for final novels, I think out of the series 'Rapture' was the most intense.
I will miss Daniel and Luce's whirlwind love story, to be honest I will miss the Fallen series completely, but I am excited to see what Lauren Kate produces next as I know it will rock my world.

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Book Review: Before I Wake By Rachel Vincent

Name: Before I wake (Soul Screamers #6)
Author: Rachel Vincent
UK Publisher: Mira Ink
Summary: Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent “recovering,” she’s back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend.

But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim
stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won’t keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn’t just gambling with her own life

Review: So kaylees back! And back with a vengeance. This series just gets better and better with each book I think Rachel Vincent couldn't write more and more and it would never get old

This book out of the whole series defiantly had me crying the most! Sometimes happy sometimes really sad. But I will say this is my favorite out of the whole series and this is why:
Through out the whole series since the beginning in typical YA style I thought Nash and Kaylee were going to be together "forever" yes they would have some heart ache but they would end up together eventually happy ending and all that. But Rachel Vincent took a spectacular risk (like I mentioned in my previous review for if i die) and Todd was brought into kaylees love life and changed it completely and I am so glad.  A lot of people were annoyed but boy I was excited.

Love, excitement, death. Blood, sweat and tears are only some of the words I can use to describe the brilliance of this book. I never get tired of reading the scenes between these characters! Rachel takes you to a place that challenges your imagination and screams at you through the page.
Todd and Kayley are as amazing as ever. Their relationship develops and the way Rachel writes their scenes you truly believe that this relationship was meant to be. I couldn't help but cheer for them, cry at their best moments and at each scene they had I had a romantic sigh from within.

Also Sabine. You know some people didn't take to Sabine but I will say that you really start to like her in this book. Rachel has shown Sabines kind side and you start to really enjoy when shes in a scene she's turning into a very likeable character!

The plot is amazing. It thickens and gets deeper. Questions are answered beautiful scenes are happening and heart ache has never been more prominent.  from the amount of detail to the amount pages. I think its descriptive and effective. Rachel has created word images so vivid that it is almost like watching a movie. She takes you for a romp through kayleys not so alive life with a team of Mara, Reapers and banshees and finds themselves in a action packed suspenseful event with the evil Avari that had my heart facing and had me excited from beginning to end.

I could say so much more about this book but I would probably talk spoiler after spoiler. iIl leave you with this: there are only a small amount of series that I've fallen in love with, without getting bored and this is one of them. I feel like I had a great amount of years with these books and I thank Rachel for bringing Todd Kayley and Nash into my life..... But I'm just not ready to say goodbye. I don't think I'll ever be.

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LetterBox Love #6

Letterbox Love is a weekly feature hosted by Lynsey on Narratively Speaking

Received

Snow White And The Huntsmen By Blake Daugherty and Hancock Amini

How To Save A Life By Sarah Zarr

Before I Wake By Rachel Vincent

Losing Lila By Sarah Alderson

Received

Vanish By Sophie Jordon Manuscript

Thanks to the Publishers who sent out the books this week :)

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Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop! (US)

Welcome to Dark Readers first ever blog hop! This will start to become a regular thing if we see want and love for it to continue on the blog :) And of course a huge thanks to I am A Reader, Not a Writer for Hosting the "Clear Your Shelf" Giveaway Hop!
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Claudia Carroll brunch with Avon Books

When I recieved the email from Becke at Avon Books asking if I would like to attend a brunch with Claudia Carroll I immediately hit reply with yes count me in.
On a rare yet sunny morning in London I had the pleasure of meeting Claudia Carroll and the Avon team for breakfast and a chit-chat.

Claudia is a beautiful and loving person as well as a fantastic author, she made everyone in that room feel looked after. We all ended up telling Claudia to stop worrying about us all.
Claudia did have a rather ace call on the Mango juice although now I am craving it a little ha.
I feel like I've known Claudia for years as we've been regularly chatting on Twitter.
As we met and chatted in person it felt like two old friends catching up, Irish people tend to have that effect on me and Claudia was no different, so it was easy to chat freely.

I read and reviewed one of Claudia's previous novels 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow' and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Over the years I have seen many of her novels and have meant to read more. It's funny today Claudia was talking about how difficult it is finding a title for each book and she mentioned her novel 'Remind Me Again Why I Need A Man'. (The name came from one of her friends fridge magnets) but what was funny for me, is that whenever I've been in an Irish book store that book has always stuck out for me. The sad thing is I still haven't read it. But I shall.

So 'A Very Accidental Love Story' is the name of Claudia's next novel which I now have a copy of yay! It shall be released in the UK in September.
Claudia is nervous as to whether us readers will like it but I know it's going to be fab, she described it to us as a cross between Eliza Doolittle and pygmalion. It sounds like we're going to love and hate the heroine and I truly love books that challenge you like that.
She is currently recording her very first audio book, unlike many authors Claudia is reading 'A Very Accidental Love Story' herself.
We also got a bit of a sneak preview into the novel she is currently working on about missing people, which sounds awesome.

So here are some of the goodies I recieved...

Here's a better picture of the beautiful cupcake which I have somehow not eaten yet...

Before I end my post I would like to ask if any of our followers have a burning question for Claudia Carroll? Do let me know as I shall be interviewing her in the not so distant future.

Finally me and the lovely Claudia Carroll I shall visit you in Dublin when I can...

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Blog Tour: Angelina's Secret by Lisa Rogers (Review)

Title: Angelina's Secret
Author: Lisa Rogers
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Summary: As a child, Angelina spent years in counseling learning that Josie, her imaginary friend, wasn't real, but it turns out her childhood friend wasn't imaginary after all.Now Angelina has to accept she's either (A) crazy or (B) able to see ghosts. Wanting to believe in her sanity, she chooses (B) and welcomes Josie back into her life. But even Josie can't help her deal with Shelly, the spirit of a confused teenager, and things go very, very wrong.When Angelina finds herself in a psychiatric hospital, she faces a choice: she can spend the rest of her life pretending to be someone she isn't, or she can embrace who she is and take a chance that she may never get to go home.

Review: Angelina's Secret is an upbeat, mysterious book about a young girl Angelina who has a gift to see ghosts or "spirits" as Josie would like to say ;) What Angelina believes to be a premonition in the beginning turns out to be something far more than even Angelina, and those around her even expected. The way that the situations are handled in this book (how Angelina's parents react, where she goes, etc) are of course exaggerated, but at the same time still realistic and I think that's an important factor- something that doesn't get lost even though it is a paranormal novel. 

The characters in this book are what truly made it a good read-- Josie, Angelina's childhood imaginary friend and now current ghost had many conversations with Angelina that were funny, sarcastic, helpful, sentimental... you never really knew what was going to come out of Josie's mouth! haha I think any reader will feel for Angelina; poor girl only wants people to believe her, even the truth isn't helping her case. Her natural underling feelings are relate-able in everyone which makes her character an enjoyable one.

The family dynamic in Angelina's Secret is interesting to observe throughout the entire book-- her relationships change throughout with her parents. As a reader I wanted to have a love/hate relationship with Angelina's mother, Patty! I very much enjoyed the relationship her and her brother shared; he had a protective nature over Angelina whether he understood or agreed to disagree with her past made present.

A steady paced, but quick read!! Angelina's Secret is a great book to take your imagination to another person's reality for a few hours.

 

Head on over to these blogs to follow Angelina's Secret Tour for the rest of the week::

June 13th - www.skyla11377@blogspot.com

June 14th - www.bookreaper.blogspot.com

June 15th - www.readingawaythedays.blogspot.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10473853-angelina-s-secret

Goodreads Author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1421475.Lisa_Rogers

Web Page: http://talkingaboutghost.blogspot.com/

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My Interview with Cassandra Clare.

Hey guys how are you all? So basically Walker publishing UK got intouch with me and asked me did I want to travel to bath in England and interview Cassandra Clare about the one and only best villian in her books SEBASTIAN. I jumped at the chance, She is such a lovely author who is always welcoming everytime ive met her. If you do ever meet her trust me you will feel awesome afterward.

heres a picture I took of one of the beautiful sights I saw in Bath.

Okay now to the interview. I recorded this on a voice recorder and then typed it out for you guys!

If valentine was alive... what one question do you think Sebastian would ask?

I think he would ask him whether he loved him or Jace.

How do you write such intense scenes between him and Clary because some of them can be very uncomfortable and his feelings towards her can be very creepy.

Sebastian can be a very creepy guy. um Sebastian is kind of a interesting, sometimes fun, pleasant character to write because he doesn't just have feelings like people have feelings so you have to kind of think about what it would be like to be this person. when you're writing a villain you have to think about when thats relatable, something that you can understand and kind of um sympathize with because otherwise its impossible to write about them, so with valentine I was able to sympathize with the fact that he loved Jace and his family, so I was able to kind of see him as human. But with Sebastian it was kind of hard because hes so removed from other human beings. I think of him as someone whos very obsessed with being lonely and being conscious that he is because of the tempering that valentine did with him, the only creature like him that exists in the world. and he can see from the outside and understand that human beings have connections with each other that make them happy, but he doesn't understand why. He would like to be happy but he doesn't understand how it works. So what hes trying to do with Clary and Jace is to create those connections that he thinks make people happy. He has these terrible inappropriate feelings about both of them um because their both the people he thinks would probably be most like him because you know Clary is his blood and Jace was brought up by the same man as him. He thinks these are the people that are most like him and if he can make them more like him then he will have companions and I will have that thing that makes other people happy. The fact that he may or not want a sexual relationship with Clary or even with Jace its impossible to tell. He just has no idea what appropriate feelings are about family at all.

You recently wrote a really good post on the sexual assault aspect of city of lost souls does it bother you that sometimes people find Sebastian attractive?

*Cassandra Laughs* ummm does it bother me? I think people are entitled to their reaction and again I went through a lot of back and fourth with the sexual assault. If they find it horrifying and sickling then of course thats fine you know its absolutely valid. I was horrified and sickened while writing it I was like "WHAT IS HE DOING THIS IS DISGUSTING" ha-ha, But I really felt Like it had to be in there. You know Sebastian's desperate desire to connect with someone and the fact that he chooses the absolutely wrong way about it. You know...that felt like there was really no other action that he could take that would clearly show what he was doing. And no I don't find it bothering that people find him attractive.. I mean I trust readers. Its in the same way we watch silent of the lambs and we are kinda fascinated by the character of Cannibal Lector. You don't ACTUALLY want to know him. I mean the movie didn't make people want to go out and marry psycho paths, but I believe that people can find something fascinating or attractive in the fiction knowing perfectly well that in real life it would be horrible. *me and Cassandra laughing*

Do you think Sebastian is Jealous of Clary because she was brought up away from Valentine and the shadow Hunter world?

No I don't. I think Sebastian has a pretty sumptuous view of the mundane world and he considers that Clary's mundane upbringing to be a weakness that needs to be purged from her. I think that when hes talks to her in the club (City of lost souls) and shes out of it hes saying "You do have a dark heart, you're like me".

Has Sebastian ever been in Love? and what do you think his Ideal women would be?

*Cassandra Laughs* he cant love. to really be in love. you have to care about the person more than you care about yourself, you have to have empathy and he doesn't have that. You have to be able to see the person as a separate human individual and feel their pain and happiness. He doesn't really have that. He feels desire and loneliness  and longing and I think those are the feelings he feels about Clary and Jace. I think his ideal women would be a women version of him because he is able to love himself *Cassandra laughs* and he is the most important person in his own life. I think he wishes maybe Valentine would of made a girl that was just like him and then they could be together and completely understand each other.

Do you think Sebastian has a fear?

Oh yeah I do think hes afraid of things. I think hes afraid of his sister and her powers. I think hes afraid of what she might do. I think he a little afraid of Jace as well. I think he knows that his father created them to be powerful in their own way and the opposite of him. Its like a Ying Yang thing. Hes half of the dark circle and Jace and Clary are the lighter half of the circle.

Do think Sebastian would of done anything defiantly?

Oh you mean if he could do it all over again? *we both laugh* sure he would have. Yeah hes defiantly made some mistakes. I mean in City of Lost souls he underestimates Clary as she blows up his apartment. He even underestimates Jace. I mean even under mine control and being generally controlled by him Jace was still able to break out of it a bit. I think he would of kept a MUCH closer Eye on Clary.

Is there anything Sebastian is most proud of?

I think hes proud now of what he did in COLS. With the infernal Cup hes created. Hes very proud of his idea. He really wants to burn the world down. He really is on his way to do it. By the end of the book he kills an angel and cuts of its wings and thats quite a accomplishment, in a disgusting way. I mean to summon an angel and defeate it in a battle, hes defiantly sent a very strong message to the clave saying you know Im not somebody to be messed around with, you are not going to be able to stand against me........ 

ohhhhh Sebastian Is getting worse and worse I wonder what is going to happen

 next with him, I really do. Want to say thanks to Walker and Cassandra for giving me the chance to do this! ;)

read more "My Interview with Cassandra Clare."

LetterBox Love #5

Letterbox Love is a weekly feature hosted by Lynsey on Narratively Speaking

Received

Paperback of Daughter Of Smoke And Bone By Laini Taylor

Paperback of Dark Inside Jeyn Roberts

Receieved

The Masque Of The Red Death By Bethany Griffin

The Glimpse By Claire Merle

Between The Lines By Jodi Picoult

Soul Fire By Kate Harrison

HAYLEY'S QUOTE MADE UK PAPERBACK OF DARK INSIDE :)

Thanks to the Publishers who sent me these awesome books for the last two weeks.

read more "LetterBox Love #5"

Casey's Top 5 Books of May 2012

INSURGENT BY VERONICA ROTH

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

BOOK REVIEW

THE GATHERING DARK BY LEIGH BARDUGO

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee

BOOK REVIEW

THRONE OF GLASS BY SARAH J. MAAS

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

BOOK REVIEW

CITY OF LOST SOULS BY CASSANDRA CLARE

The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.

BOOK REVIEW

SAVING JUNE BY HANNAH HARRINGTON

Harper Scott’s older sister has always been the perfect one so when June takes her own life a week before her high school graduation, sixteen-year-old Harper is devastated. Everyone’s sorry, but no one can explain why.When her divorcing parents decide to split her sister’s ashes into his-and-her urns, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She’ll steal the ashes and drive cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going, California.

BOOK REVIEW

read more "Casey's Top 5 Books of May 2012"